STEPHEN  Bo  WEEKS 

CLASS  OF  1886;  PH.D.  THE  JOHNS  HOPKINS  UNIVERSITY 


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NORTH  CAROLINA. 

FROM  THE    YEAR    1830  TO    THE  YEAR    1892. 

Introduced  by  Early  Sketches 

OF 

THE  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 

Closing  with 

TWENTY-FOUR    LIFE   SKETCHES 

AND    A 

MISCELLANEOUS  SUPPLEMENT, 

All  by 
ELDER  JNO.  S.  SMILEY. 


BEYSON  CITY,  N.  ('.: 

''Times"  Job  Print. 

1 893. 


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HISTORY 


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OF 

Tennessee  T{roz?  *B&piizt  ^ssoeiaiio^, 

NORTH  CAROLINA, 

FROSVI  THE  YEAR  1830  TO  THE  YEAR  (892. 

Introduced  by  Early  Sketches 

OF 

THE  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 

Closing  with 

TWENTY-FOUR   LIFE   SKETCHES 

AND    A 

MISCELLANEOUS   SUPPLEMENT 

All  BY 

ELDER  JNO,  S.  SMILEY. 


BRYSON  CITY,  N.  C. 

■'Tiwes"  Job  Print, 

1893. 


COST  J? 

introduction Page  I  , 

How  to  iind  the  true  church 2 

American  Churches  and   Associations  4  j 
iriptist  churches  and  Associations    in 

Western  North  Carolina 6 

First  Baptist  operations  in   Tennessee 

River  Association £  ' 

CHURCHES. 

Mt.  Zion  Church,   1829  8 

Brush  Creek  Church,  1882 S 

Lul'ty  Church,  1836 9 

Tennessee  River  Church.  1835 10 

Stecoah  Church,    1850 11 

Cheoah  Church,  1848 10 

Cold  Spring  Church,  1851 12 

Organization  of   Friendship  Associa- 
tion   14 

Chapt.4    1861  to  1865 14 

"       5  1805  to  1870 21 

"   0  1870to  1873 31 

"   7  1873  to  1876 37 

■•"   8  1876  to  J880 45 

<;   9  1880  to  1882 52 

"  10  1882  to  1884 57 

"  11  1884  to  1886...., (51 

"     12  1886  to   1890 o5 

"     13  1890  to   1892 72 

Historical  Summary 76 

Historical  Table 78 

LIFE  SKETCHES, 

Humphrey  Posey 82 

David  Elder , 84 

Sam uel  Gibson 86 

James  Kimzey J 89 

James  Whitaker,  Sr  .■ 92 

John  L.  Crisp 94 

Allen  Amnions 96 

Wesley  Williams 98 

J.  P.  Edwards.. 100 

LT.S.   Sherrill 102 

J.  M.  Thomasson 106 

A.  A.  Justice 109 

Elizabeth  Crisp 112  1 

John  DeHart , 113  | 

Meritt  Hickman 116  j 

Murk  May 118 

E.  I).    Brendle 120 

W.  II.    Conner 122 

C.  b.  Mingus 124' 

Jracob  Mingus 126 

Jacob  Stilhvcll.... 126 


NTS, 

Young  Amnions 126 

The  Writer's  Humble  Experience 127 

Review  of  twelve  Ministers1  lives 132 

MISCKUAXKuCs  SUIWLKM  KNT. 

Baptist  Marks 1'6'S 

Essential  Elements  of  a  Church........  134 

What  Baptist  Association's  Are 135 

Constitution      of     Tennessee      River 

Association..... 135 

Constitution  of  Western   N.   C.   Con- 
vention   137 

Constitution  of  Southern  Baptist  Con- 
vention  140 

DELIBERATJVe  ASSEMBf.Y    GUIJMB, 

Pari  ia  ruentary 145 

Qualifications  of  Presiding  Officers....  146 
Privileges  of  members  of  Deliberative 

bodies 1 47 

Order  of  Debate 147 

How  a  vote  is  taken  upon  a  Question    1  48 

Organization 14s 

Appointment  of  Committees 149 

Committee  of  the  Whole 149 

Motions  and  Resolutions 15'? 

Effe  is  of   Subsidiary   Motions    when 

carried 1 52 

Motions  to  Suppress 152 

(  ommitment 153 

Appeals  from  Decision  of  Chair 153 

Forcing  Order 153 

Amendments 153 

Adjourn  ment 154 

Roll  call,  Quorum  and  Reading  Min- 
utes    1 55 

Circular  Letter  on  the  Christian  War- 
fare!.   155 

MESSENGERS    OF  THE  ASSOCIATION. 

Session  1876 159 

"    1877 160 

1878 160 

1879 160 

1880 161 

"    1881 161 

1882 J61 

1883  162 

1884 163 

1885 163 

"    1886 164 

1887 16 

1888 164 

"    1889 165 

1890 165 


^ 


After  sixteen  years  from  the  time  the  Author  commeneed  to  collect  material  for 
this  work,  he  has  finally  succeeded  in  producing  the  present  volume,  Which  he  sin- 
cerely submits  to  the  churches,  and  people  of  Tennessee  River  Baptist  Association, 
and  all  other  friends  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  their  patronage  and  careful  reading. 
He  has  given  what  he  thought  to  be  of  greatest  interest  and  value  to  the  reader,  and 
has  labored  with  an  eye  to  the  welfare  of  future  generations. 

We  are  confident  that  the  facts  set  forth,  lines  traced,  etc.,  are  a  historical  legacy 
not  to  be  ashamed  of. 

The  work  has  been  'arranged  so  as  to  give  the  origin  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  its* 
tenets,  which  distinguish  Baptists  from  all  other  denominations. 

Beginning  with  the  preaching  of  John  the  Baptist,  We  have  introduced  some  lead* 
ing  features  and  history  of  the  Baptists,  following  from  the  early  age  to  the  first 
churches  and  Associ  itions  in  America,  without  giving  a  full  detail  of  such  early 
history,  that  we  might  link,  the  chain  of  facts  and  doctrine  of  the  present  with  the  past 
and  thus  show  how  Tennessee  River  churches  and  the  other  Associations  and  churches 
of  Western  North  Carolina  and  America  came  into  being  upon  the  principles  laid 
by  the  ''Foundation  Stone." 

The  origin  of  the  Philadelphia  Association  and  the  first  churches  composing  it  are 
given,  as  it  was  the  first  Association  in  America.  From  Philadelphia  came  brethren 
to  North  Carolina  and  establish vd  Sandy  Creek  Association,  the  origin  of  which  is 
shown  in  this  work  ;  and  from  Sandy  ( J  reek  to  iiolston  Association,  and  from  Ilolston 
and  Broad  River  Associations  came  French  Broad  Association,  the  first  Association 
in  Western  North  Carolina  west  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  Then  coming  westward 
our  mother,  Tuckaseige  Association,  is  noticed,  to  which  we  find  linked  the  Tennessee 
River,  under  the  organized  name  of  Friendship,  at  iirst,,and  still  further  on  by  the 
name.  Valley  River,  until  1880,  when  the  present  name  was  given, 

The  narrative  of  Tennessee  River  history  from  organic  oeriod,  1861  to  1892,  is  di* 
vided  into  thirteen  chapters,  in  which  will  be  found  very  interesting  facts  of  history 
and  statistics  :  valuable  Historical  Tables  at  the  close, 

There  are  over  twenty  biographies  given  under  the  head,  ''Lifk  S&ifiTOttKs,"  whose 
work  as  ministers  of  Jesus,  when  we  consider  their  opportunities,  will,  we  think, 
equal  anything  in  modern  biography. 

To    the    work    there   is    added    ft  Miscellaneous  SuppliOltat,  containing   Baptist 


PREFACE. 

Marks,  What  constitutes  a  church,  Baptist  Associations— What  they  are,  Deliberative 
Assembly  Guide  and  other  useful  matter,  all  of  the  first  importance  as  a  book  of  use 
and  reference  to  all  classes  of  people. 

The  Deliberative  Assembly  Guide  will  meet  the  wants  of  Mass  meetings,  Societies, 
Churches,  Associations,  Conventions,  Legislative  bodies,  etc.,  for  it  is  Parliamentary 
Law  all  in  a  nutshell. 

The  book  is  not  whollly  local  to  Tennessee  River  Association,  but  is  well  adapted 
to  general  use  for  good,  in  all  sections  and  among  all  classes. 

The  author  now  puts  his  humble  efforts  into  the  merciful  hands  of  a  generous 
public. 

Jno.  S.  Smtt.ey, 

Swain.  N.  C. 

Feb.  7,  1893. 


(  'llAPTEH   J. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The  foundation  work  pi  the  church  commenced  with  the  preaching 
of  John  the  Baptist  in  the  wilderness  of  Judea,  and  the  first  converts 
of  whom  the  church  at  Jerusalem  was  built  and  from  whom  Jesus 
doubtless  selected  his  apostles,  were  baptized  in  the  Jordan,  (Math.  3rd 
chapter  and  John .  1;  35  to  50 J  Evangelism  and  the  true  mode]  of 
baptism,  such  as  was  heaven  approved,  was  commenced  by  John  the 
Baptist. 

Certainly  the  manner  in  which  our  Lord  and  Saviour  received  bap- 
tism at  the  hands  of  his  forerunner,  is  that  manner  in  which  iris  true 
followers  were  to  receive  it  in  the  succeeding  days  of  the  gospel  period. 
This,  we  hope, will  answer  the  question,  "When  did  the  Baptist  church 
originate?" 

The  first  local  church  organized  was  at  Jerusalem  about  the  year  31, 
and  the  spread  of  the  gospel  to  the  Gentiles  and  their  admission  to  the 
church  was  in  the  year  41.  So,  of  the  early  church  among  both  .lews  and 
Gentiles,  the  reader* is  referred  to  the' acts  of  the  Apostles,  the  various 
epistles  and  the  Revelations,  for  the  local  names  of  .churches,  officers 
and  ordinances.  From  the  the  New  Tt  stament  containing  the  exam- 
ples of  Christ  and  the  apostles  do  the  christians  known  as  Baptists  re- 
ceivetheirtrue  knowledgeof church  work,  discipline,  faith  and  practice. 

The  first  century  of  Christianity  had  the  benefit  of  the  apostles,  as 
we  are  informed  in  case  of  John,  until  A.  1).  100,  by  whom  the  New 
Testament  was  written,  and  by  whose  inspired  examples  under  the 
immediate  presence  and  teachings ot  Christ  true  church  law  was  given. 
Confession  of  sins  or  fruits  oiete  for  repentence  and  baptism  by  im- 
mersion upon  a  profession  of  the  the  individual's  faith  in  Christ,  is  the 
acknowledged  way  in  which  members  wTere  received  into  the  church 
by  the  Apostles  of  old,  and  to  this  the  true  Baptists  of  the  many 
centuries  that  have  passed  since,  have  adhered 

One  of  the  grossest  errors  ol  the  early  times  was  the  baptism  of  un- 
concious  infants.  This  wTas  commenced  in  Africa  about  the  year  250. 
With  this  error  came  the  idea  of  baptismal  regeneration,  which  is   no 


(2) 
where  sustained  by  Paul,  Peter,  John,  or  auy  of  the  inspired  writers. 
Another  grave  error  was  the  institution  ol  chinie  baptism,  or  sprink- 
ling or  pouiing  for  baptism  instead  of  immersion,  the  first  recorded 
instance  of  which  was  performed  in  case  of  Novation  of  Rome  on  ac- 
count of  his  sickness,  which  made  it  impossible  to  immerse  him,  as 
they  thought. 

Uniting  State  and  Church  in  the  time  of  Constantine  and  giving  to 
the  Civil  Magistrates  control  in  matters  o1  religion  and  conscience,  was 
another  error  more  malignant  than  any  we  have  enumerated  because 
it  gave  it  to  the  Bishop  and  the  Emperor,  under  sanction  of  law,  the 
right  to  enforce  the  forms  and  rites  of  religion  prescribedin  the  liturgy 
by  severe  penalties,  inflicting  death  to  those  who  dissented. 

HOW-TO  FIND    THE    TRUE    CHULCH. 

A  wise  writer  has  said  that  to  find  the  true  church  in  those  corrupt 
times  is  to  look  for  it  outside  of  the  so-called  church.  The  usurpa- 
tion of  the  Orthodox,  as  those  so-called  churches,  were  termed  by 
their  ecclesiastical  historians,  whose  bishops  invoked  imperial  author- 
ity to  enforce  their  dogmas,  were  seceded  from  by  those  who  held  to 
scriptural  authority.  Those  who  dissented  from  the  Catholics  in 
doctrine  and  practice  were  found  all  along,  but  we  must  remember 
that  they  have  not  been  called  Baptists  every  time.  Adherents  of 
gospel  truth  of  the  ages  down  to  the  reformation,  being  denominated 
"Heretics"  or  otherwise. 

Again,  we  must  remember  that  we  find  the  true  Baptists  denomi- 
nated by  the  names  of  certain  noted  men  or  leaders  among  them  in 
different  countries  and  at  different  periods, — which  names  were  as- 
signed them  by  their  adversaries. 

But  let  Baptists  appear  under  whatever  name  they  may,  in  any 
period  of  time,  and  in  any  country,  their  doctrine  and  sufferings 
for  Christ's  sake  identify  them  well 

We  find  a  peculiar  people,  all  a  long,  who  would  not  baptise  infants 
nor  recognise  the  baptism  of  the  semi-pagan  semi-christian  and  phil* 
osopiiic  State  chuich  sanctioned  and  decreed  by  Constantine  and 
Justinian  laws.     Examine  the  New  Testament  and  true   church    his-, 


(4) 
ory.  and  when  you  find  a  people  who  baptised  by  immersion,  resis- 
ted the  uniting  of  State  and  Church,  and  a  people  who  never  used 
my  secular  power  to  disciple  the  people,  but  instead  preached  and 
>racticed  a  pure  gospel  to  the  people  and  relied  on  the  spirit  of  God 
o  guide  men  to  duty,  and  you  find  Baptists  in  the  true  sense.  Bap- 
tists have  also  been  strict  in  Baptism,  believing  that  none  have  a  right 
id  the  Lord's  table  but  such  as  'have 'been  baptised  by  immersion  up- 
i®  avpT*oiession  of  faith.  /Another  burning  feature  by  which  to  track 
;he  Baptists  is  by  the  blood  of  their  martyrs.  They  would  not  shed 
€ood  to  propagate  their  faith,  but  their  blood  has  often  been  shed  to 
nake  them  conform  to  state  religions. 

Even  after  the  reformation  when  it  was  expected  that  .christians 
should  be  free  in  matters  of  religion,  the  poor  Baptists  suffered  much 
3y  those  who  should  have  been  their  friends. 

State  Church  under  Protestant  was  as  dictatorial  and  cruel  when 
t  interfered  in  religion,  prescribing  modes  of  worship,  as  that  of  the 
Catholic. 

But  printing  gives  rapid  strides  to  truth  and  the  dark  clouds  and 
Dloody  days  of  persecution  must  go. 

The  wilderness  of  America  during  the  seventeenth  century  becomes 
ibiri  asylum  for  the  church,  but  even  here  Baptists  are  visited  by  fines 
ind  imprisonments. 


(4 


Chapter  II. 
AMERICAS?  CHURCHES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS. 


We  omitted  following,  in  detail,  "the  names  of  the  churches  and  noted 
preachers  in  the  Old  World  in  order  to  abridge  this  work,  but  will 
now  take  up  a  tew  names  of  the  American  beginnings  in  detail. 

The  first  church  formed  in  Deleware  was  Welch  Tract,  with  sixteen 
members,  all  Baptists,  who  emigrated  in  a  body  from  Wales  in  1701 
Thomas  Griffeth,  one  of  these  emigrants,  became  pastor  of  this  church 
The  first  church  in  Massachusetts  was  Swansea,  organized  in  1663.  The 
first  church  formed  in  Connecticut  wasCroton  in  1705,  through  the! 
labors  of  Valentine  Wightman.  The  first  in  New  Hampshire  is  claimed1 
to  be  that  at  Dover  in  1838  by  Hanserd  Knolleys.  In  Vermont  a 
church  was  formed  at  Shaftsbury  in  1768.  The  first  church  in  South! 
Carolina  was  constituted  of  William  Scraven,  a  Baptist  Minister  and 
Deacon  Humphry  Church  wood  and  eight  others,  fleeing  from  perse- 
cution in  Maine.  They  formed  a  church  in  Charleston  of  which  Mr. 
Scraven  became  pastor.  In  Pennsylvania  the  Baptist  were  first  or- 
ganized at  Cold  Springs,  near  Bristol  in  Backs  caunty.  Lower  Dub- 
lin church,  the  mother  of  Philadelphia  churches,  was  formed  at  Pen- 
nepek  in  1688.  Elias  Keach  was  their  first  minister,  who  was  the 
son  of  the  famous  Benjamin  Keach  of  London. 

The  Philadelphia  Association  was  formed  in  1707,  consisting  at  first, 
of  but  five  churches,  viz:  Lower  Dublin,  Piscataway,  Middletown, 
Cohan sey  and  Welsh  Tract. 

Baptist  churches  have  held  and  they  do  hold  the  independence  of 
each  individual  ehurch  as  the  highest  authority,  an  authority  from 
whose  dtcisions  there  can  be  no  appeal.  Under  the  New  Testament 
model  and  Laws  of  Jesus  Christ,  each  local  church,  be   thev   many  or 


few.  oniv  a  dozen,  or  thousands  of  members  associated  or  covenanted 
together  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  and  taking  the  New  Testament  as 
their  law  and  Christ  as  their  head,  have  the  right  to  a  bishop  or 
bishops,  or  pastors  to  watch  over  and  feed  them,  and  to  make  decisions 
in  the  settlement  of  church  troubles  and  exerereises  of  christian  privi 
leges  that  no  Council,  Association,  Synod,  Assembly,  Conference  or 
Diocese  can  set  set  aside*. 

Parity  in  church  government,  instead  ol'episeopaey,  is  what  Baptists 
hold  to  and  practice;  so  when  the  churches  became  numerous  enough, 
alter  carefully  guarding  against  the  assumption  of  ecclesiastical  power, 
and  avoiding  ail  interference  with  the  affairs  of  individual  churches, 
formed  a  Yearly  Meeting,  consisting  of  messengers  and  ministers  from 
-the  different  churches,  and  exercised  a  brotherly  supervision  over  the 
-Baptist  cause  and  oftenjie vised,  by  such  union  of  churches,  liberal 
-' things  on  its  behalf 

By  such  annual  gatherings  christian  friendships  was  renewed  and 
extended;  important  questions  of  doctrine  and  practice  were  discussed, 
and  advice  given  in  difficult  cases;  weak  and  destitute  churches  were 
assisted;  and  plans  forthe  wider  diffusion  ofgospel  truth  were  originated. 
Such  a  gathering  as  here  explained  finally  grew  into  the  Philadel- 
phia Association  at  the. time  afore  stated,  the  first  in  "America. 

From  Welsh  Tract  church,  a  minister  by  the  name  of  Paul  Palmer 
constituted  the  first  church  in  North  Carolina,  at  Perquimang  about 
the  year  1727.  But  to  the  labors  of  Shuball  Stearns  and  his  com- 
panions, from  the  year  1854,  must  be  attributed,  under  God,  the  ex- 
tensive spread  of  Baptist  views  and  practices,  and  the  remarkable  re- 
vival of  religion  by  which  the  eighteenth  century  wa^  distinguished. 

Elder  Stearns  settled  at  Sandy  Creek,  North  Carolina,  in  1755,  where 
a  church  by  the  name  of  Sandy  Creek  was  soon  organized  consisting 
of  sixteen  members.  This  church  soon  increased  to  606  members 
and  may  be  justly  styled  the  Mother  of  all  the  churches  now  included 
in  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention.  Soon  other  churches  were  or- 
ganized and  in  1758  Sandy  Creek  Association  was  organized,  being 
the  third  Baptist  Association  in  America. 


Daniel  Marshall,  the  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Stearns  was  one  oi  the 
most  successful  preachers  of  his  time.  He  went  on  preaching  tours 
in  different  states  or  colonies  and  other  zealous  men  of  God  pierced 
the  wilderness,  the  Lord  attended  the  word  spoken,  and  men  and 
women  were  converted  and  churches  built,  until  at  the  end  of  seven- 
teen years  after  Sand}7  Creek  church  was  formed,  she  had  become  the 
mother  and  grand-mother  of  forty-two  churches,  planting  the  Baptist  . 
banner  eastward  to  the  sea,  westward  to  the  Mississippi  river,  north 
to  the  Potomac  and  south  to  Georgia. 

BAPTIST  CHURCHES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS  IN  WESTERN   N     C. 

Baptist  operations  eommenced  in  Western  North  Carolina  with  the 
commencement  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  so  to  speak. 

Associated  with  the  beginnings  here  are  the  names  of  the  following- 
Baptist  ministers  : 

Thomas  Snelsoii,  Thomas  Justice,  Sion  Blythe,  Benjamin  King, 
Humphry  Posey  and  Stephen  Morgan. 

The  first  churches  were  Little  Quay,  Locust  Field,  New  Found, 
Caney  River,  French  Broad  and  Cane  Creek. 

The  first  three  churches,  named  h'ere  formerly  belonged  to  the  Hol- 
ston  Association,  Tennessee,  and  the  latter   three    belonged    to    Broad 
River  Association,  South  Carolina.     In  1807,  these  six  churches  with- 
drew trom  the  mother  bodies  and  formed    French    Bioad    Association- 
Touching  the  origin  or  age    of  the    churches    forming    the    French 
Broad  Association,  we  have  no  account  given    except   that    oi'    Locust 
Field  which  was  organized  in  1808.     The  Holston    Association,    from 
which  came  Little  Tvey,  Locust  Field  and  New  Found    churches    was 
really  a  daughter  of  the  Sandy  Creek  Association. 

A  body  of  ministers  and  churches  formed  a  semi-annual  Conference 
in  1781  and  acted  under  the  supervision  of  Sandy  Creek  Association 
until  1786,  when,  on  account  of  remoteness  from  the  mother  body 
they  formed  the  Holston  Association.  This  body  owed  it's  origin 
largely  to  Sandy  Creek  and  a  few  ministers  from  Virginia.  Rev. 
Tidai ice  Lane  was  in  the  Baptist  colony  from  N.  C. 

The  three  churches,  Cove  Creek,  Caney    River  and    French    Broad, 


■oui  Rroad  River  Association,  South  Carolina,  doubtless  received  their 

rigin  from  the  churches  which  had  spread  abroad  from  Sanely  Creek, 
I  C,  and  Charleston.  Booth  Carolina,  and  those  old  original  commu- 
nes or  churches  and  Associations  from  England  and  Wales,  either 
irectly  or  indirectly.  Thus  with  the  ministers  and  churches  named 
l|e  French  Broad  Association  had  its  origin. 

EPuckaseige  Association  was  organized  of  churches  from  French 
Sroad  at  Cullowhee  church  in  1829.  The  oldest  churches  wereTiOCUst 
Kd,  Cullowhee,  ^cotts  Creek.  Waynesville,  Savannah,  Cowee  and 
Bkiiklin.  Coming  farther  west  there  is  the  VaUoy  Association  or- 
mnized  in  1839,  first  known  as  Nottey  river  etc.  Valley  rClver  church, 
M  think,  was  a  member  of  the  Valley  Association,  however  a  few 
ifruroh.es  in  Cherokee  and  some  in  Ga.  formed  said  Association,  j  So 
|e  term  it  that  the  Tennessee  River  Association  is  a  great-grand- 
||iughter  of  French  Broad  on  a  part  of  the  Tennessee  river  churches 
Hid  a  grand-daughter  in  part.  No  evil  is  done  to  the  matter  of  our 
ijstory  if  it  be  recorded  that  Tennessee  River  as  it  now  stands  is  truly 
^daughter  of  Tuckasiege  Association. 


(8 


Charter   III. 
MT.  ZION  CHURCH,  1829., 

.First  Baptist  efforts  in  the  territory  now  included  in  Tennessee 
River  Baptist  Association  began  with  the  year  1829  which  is  noted  as 
the  time  in  which  Mount  Zion  Baptist  church  was  formed  a  few  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  Arneechee  ford  of  Ocona  Lufty,  on  the  north- 
west side  of  the  river.  This  church  was  built  by  Elders  Humphry, 
Posey  and  Adam  Corn,  and  beyond  a  doubt,  the  first  Baptist  effort  in 
the  present  limits  of  The  Tennessee  River  Baptist  Association. 

Local  convenience  for  the  people  and  brethren  on  Ocona  Lufty.  and 
for  the  people  and  brethren  at  Shoal  Creek  made  it  necessary  for  this 
church  to  divide  after  a  few  years,  and  in  April  or  May  1836,  the 
division  was  effected  for  I  he  purpose  of  organizing  Shoal  Creek  and 
Lufty,  which  soon  followed.  Thus  the  name  of  Mt.  Zion  disappears 
and  her  membership  lives  in  Shoal  Creek  and  Lufty.  Some  of  the 
older  Becks,  Conn  rs,  Mingus,  etc.,  were  of  the  first  membership  in 
this  old  church.  It  was  in  this  church  that  Elder  Samuel  Gibson 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  in  1834  by  David 
'  Elder  and  Adam  Corn.  He  was  haptised  into  this  church  by  Adam 
Corn  in  Ocona  Lufty  in  1830  and  represented  the  church  when  it  be- 
longed to  French  Broad  Association. 

BRUSH  CEEEK  CHURCH,   1832. 

Brush  creek  was  organized  in  December  1832,  with  eighteen  mem- 
bers, viz.  Joseph  Sherrill  and  David  Elder  as  Deacons,  Thomas 
Hedgecock,  Nathan  DeHart,  Nathan  Tabor,  George  Loudermilk,  Ute 
Sherrill,  Susanah  Truitt,  Mary  Edwards,  Martha  liedgeoock,  Isabella 
Shoap,  Nancy  A.  Hightower,  Mary  Truitt,  Margaret  Welch,  Susanah 
Elder,  Kli-abeih  Burns  and  Han  ah,  a  colored  woman. 


Elder  Humphrey   Posey.  Robert  ByCrs  and  Peter   Keykendall    were  ' 
the  presbytery  who  constituted  this  church. 

Brush  Creek  was  admitted  as  a  member  of  Tuckasi.ege  Association 
where  it  remained  until  Sept.  1866  when  it  joined  Friendship  Associ- 
ation. This  church  has  been  the  honored  mother  and  grand-mother 
Mothers  notably,  Cold  Spring,  and  oth«fs  Ft  has  had  the  honor  of 
being  the  pioneer  body  '  of  Baptists  on  Tennessee  Paver  in  all  the 
jputh west  part  of  what  is  now  Swain  count)'.  Here  we  find  the 
worthy  pioneer  Baptists  on  Tennessee  River  in  all  tin-  southwest  part 
of  what  is  now  Swain  county.  Mere  we  find  the  worthy  pioneer 
Baptists  Tabors,  Levi  Truitt,  DeHarts,  and  ThomVssons,  Soloriion 
Truitt,  John  DeKart  and  J.  M.  Thomasson  were  made 
deacons.  "David  Elder,  Allen  Amnions  and  J.  R.  Edwards  made 
ministers.  Elders  Humphrey  Posey,  Robert  Byers  and  Peter  Key- 
Kendall  were  the  presbytery  who  constituted  Brush  Creek  church. 
Posey  was  the  first  pastor  oi  Brush  ("'reek  church,    being    chosen    Jan. 

fea-3. 

li'Fty  church,    1836j 

Lufty  Baptist  church  was  constituted  June  6,  1836,  by  A.dam  Lorn 
and  David  Elder  as  presbytery,  at  the  house  of  Dr.  John  Mingus  on 
the  west  prong  of  the  river,  Lufty,  with  the  following  members: 

Robert  Collins  and  Ephraim  Mingus,  Deacons,  Jacob  Mingus  Abre- 
lam  Mingus,  Jacob  Mingus,  S'r.  -John  Beck,  Jacob  Beck,  Samuel  Beck, 
tamuel  Conner  and  John  Watson,  and  females,  Sophia  Mingus,  Sarah 
Mingus,  Rebecca  Mingus,  Elizabeth  Collins,  Jane  Beck,  Nancy  Beck, 
Cyntha  Beck,  Susanah  Watson,  Nancy  Conner,  Massy  Conner  and 
Elizabeth  Stillweil.  . 

This  church  made  application  and  was  received  into  Tuckaseige 
Baptist  Association  in  the  session  held  with  Cowee  church  in  August 
1836,  Robert  Collins  and  Jacob  Mingus  being  the  first  delegation  to 
the  Association. 

Lufty  church  has  been  the  birth  place  of  some  of  the  most  noted 
preachers  and  members  of  Western  North  Carolina.  Elder  C.  B. 
Mingus  was  born  and  reared,  converted  to  the  Lord,   and   commenced 


I 


(10) 

preaching  here.  A  very  interesting  career  has  been  given  to  Luftj 
church  and  many  precious  names  have  been  added  to  this  churcr 
among  the  departed  and  survivors  whose  names  are  doubtless  in  th 
book  of  life.  The  greatest  conflict  she  ever  had  to  endure  was  tin 
rent  in  her  membership,  caused  by  the  so-called  preaching  of  bm 
Sain  Castile  about  the  year  1873.  Our  soul  heaves  a  melanchollv 
>si0h  when  we  think  of  this  schism  in  this  dear  old  church.  Motcj  s, 
then  twenty-five  of  her  members  were  lead  oft  into  Castleism  and  had! 
to  be  excluded.  This  trouble  gave  rise  to  bitter  feelings  among  neigh- 
bors that  has  never,  nor  will  ever  be  healed  on  time's  side  of  eternity, 
leaders  in  this  struggle  for  the  Master's  cause  against  the  corruption 
of  he  Castile  doctrine  were  the  zealous  Elders  W.  H.Conner,  and 
l>e  con  H.  J.  Beck  by  whose  efforts,  by  the  blessing  of  Godf  the  church 
i  rid  of  Castile  and  his  followers. 

CITEOAH  BAPTIST  CtUrR('U,   1848. 

heoah  church    was   organized  July    18th    1848,    by    Elders    LaiJj 
Bruce  and  James  Kimsey,  travelling  missionaries  under  the    auspices 
of  the  Baptist  State  Convention  of  North  Carolina.     This  church   wa 
organized  with  eighteen  members  of  whom  John    Hyde  and    Thomas 
A  unions  were  made  Deacons. 

As  Cheoah  was  the  first  Baptist  church  in  the  valley  of  the  same 
name,  it  became  the  nucleus  of  Baptist  operations  for  more  than  half 
of  what  is  now  Graham  county,  N.  C  ,  and  is  either  the  mother  or 
gr  md-mother  of  several  of  the  neighboring  churches. 

The  labors  of  Bruce  and  Kimsey  in  this  valley  are  hallowed  by 
many  precious  names;  John  Hyde,  Thomas  Amnions,  Jacob  Davis, 
william  Davis,  William  Carpenter  and  others  who  have  been  distin- 
guished Baptist  christians  of  great  moral  worth.  Tup  Cheoah  church 
was  a  member  of  Tuckasiege  Association  until  August  1871,  when  it 
was  dismissed  to  become  a  member  of  a  new  Association,  organized 
in  October  1861.  We  presume  that  Yellow  Creek,  Sweet  Water,  and 
Love  Oak  churches  are  daughters  of  Cheoah  church. 

TENNESSEE  RIVEK  CITTRCH. 

Tennessee  River  Baptist  church  was  organized  with  ten  members,  in 


!  1  1  ) 

the  year  1885,  by  Elders  ^ames  Kinzey  and  DaYvid'  Ehkr,  \:i.C  .■  ',]..> 
name  of  Steeoah,  and  contained  in  it  members  residing  in  the-Stecoah 
Valley  an  well  as  members  along  Chamber's  Creek  and  Tennesson 
liiver.     This  church"  was  also  a  member  of  Tuekasiege  Association. 

The  church  roll  of  the  first  members  cannot  be  given,  but  wo  call 
to  memory  some  precious  names  among  the  pioneer  Baptists  of  the 
settlement  in  which  tht  Tennessee  River  is  located,  and  men  who 
have  been  prominent  in  her  past  membership;  viz:  Joseph  Welch, 
Pendleton  Crisp,  John  Chambers,  John  Hyde  and  others.  The 
Welcbs.  Crisp  and  Chambers  have  long  since  slej  ■  with  their  fathers 
but  old  brother  John  Hyde,  holding  the  office  ot  beacon,  and  whose 
name  is  found  on  the  roll  of  Lufty  church,  as  well  as  that  of  Cheoah 
is  still  (Jan.  29,  1891)  living  at  over  95  years  of  age  in  the  Cheoah 
valley,  but  Bro.  Hyde  has  been  blind  lor  many  years,  li^  was  a  man 
strong  in  the  faith  and  a  soui-bracer  to  young  christians.  We  well 
remember  some  sweet  impressions  made  upon  the  writers  mind  by 
this  dear  old  father  in  Isreal. 

STIVOAII   (IH'HCH,   185*0. 

A  loss  of  the  first  part  of  the  church  record  prevents  our  giving  the 
names  of  the  members  and  presbytery  who  organized  the  Steeoah  Baptist 
church  but  according  to  account  given  by  brother  W.  D.  Crisp,  one  of 
her  most  prominent  members,  this  church  wasformed  in  theyear  18oC,  ' 
under  the  name  of  New  Prospect,  which  name  it  retained  until  it  was 
changed  to  its  present  name.  It  joined  the  Tuckasiege  Association, 
where  it  remained  until  dismissed  to  go  into  the  organization  ot  the 
Friendship  Baptist  Association.  This  church  has  had  an  honorable 
career  in  our  Baptist  ranks.  It  was  the  homeof  the  venerable  John 
L.  Crisp,  where  he  labored  as  a  member  and  a  worthy  minister  of  the 
gospel  until  death.  Simson  Crisp  and  others  of  the  Crisp  name  have 
lived  and  died  here. 

Deacon  J ,  C.  Owensby  was  an  honored  Deacon  of  Steeoah  church, 
who  died  in  his  47th  year.  Old  brother  A.  Taylor,  on1)  of  the  most 
intelligent  and  best  informed  Baptists  had.  his  membership  in  Stecoah 


(12) 

chureb  for  several  years,  and  was  a  very  prominent  man  in  the  affairs 
of  the  churches  of  his  country, 

COLD  SPRING  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Cold  Spring  Baptist  church  was  constituted  May  2nd  1851,  by  El- 
ders I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  Samuel  Gibson  and  Allen  Amnions,  with  the 
following  members,  viz;  John  DeHart  and  M.  Hedgecock,  Deacons, 
Nathan  DeHart.  Hilary  Scott,  A.  W.  Davis,  Elizabeth  Hedgecock, 
Katherine  DeHart  and  Mira  Davis. 

•This  church  was  built  chiefly  of  members  from  Brush  Creek  church 

Although  so  small  a  beginning,  this  church  was  increased  at  its 
next  or  second  meeting  by  the  following  named  members: 

B.  H.  Elder  and  wife,  Nancy  A.,  Martha  Hedgecock,  John  D.  Brenle 
and  wife,  Charlott,  Jessee  Smiley  and  wile,  Elizabeth,  John  Jenkins 
Martin  DeHart.  Sarah  Scott  and  Katherine  Scott,  all  by  letters,  mak- 
ing the  total  membership  nineteen  for  the  organic  period. 

The  church  joined  the  Tuckaseige  Association  in  Aug.  1851,  John 
DeHart,  M.  Hedgecock  and  B.  H.  Elder  being  the  delegates  to  that 
body. 

The  first  pastors  were  Samuel  Gibson,  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  Allen  Am- 
nions and  Jacob  Mingus  all  called  to  serve  the  first  year,  three  months 
each  in  rotation — Elder  Jacob  Mingus  to  serve  the  first  quarter. 

Cold  Spring  church,  for  several  y^ars,  numbered  in  her  membership, 
Elder  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  who  served  her  several  years  as  pastor,  or 
bishop,  his  service  as  early  as  1855,  Elders  Gibson  and  Arumons, 
heretofore  named,  have  served  as  bishops,  divers  years.  The  eloquent 
Merit  Rickman  served  this  church  a.  tew  terms  prior  to  18(50,  by  whose 
service  the  young  church  was  ably  led.  Elder  A.  A.  Justice  whose 
pastoral  service  commenced  with  the  church  during  the  late  Rebclion 
of  the  States  served  longer  than  any  other  man. 

By  the  untiring  labors  of  Elder  Justice,  the  church  has  had  some  of 
the  most  precious  meetings  and  ingatherings  to  its  membership.  A  noted 
revival  was  held  by  Justice  in  August,  1865,  which  greatly  built-up  the 
church.  The  greatest  revival  of  religion.,  ever  known  in  the  church 
amd  •oi.nrmnity  were  the  series  that  tool;  place. during   jibe   months  of 


(18) 

July  and  August  1876,  during  which  more  than  forty  were  added  to 
the  church  of  Baptism  and  about  thirty  by  letter. 

The  preaching  en  the  August  occasion  was  done  by  Elders  Richard 
Evans  and  James  Salts  of  Sevier  county,  Tennessee,  whose  labors 
were  continued  two  sermons  a  day  for  about  ten  days.  Elder  Justice 
was  pastor  at  this  time  and  aided,  as  did  Elder  ,!.  M.  Smiley. 

Ot  the  churches,  Valley  River,  Valley  town,  and  Murphy  of  Chero- 
kee county,  and  Nantahala  ot  Macon  county,  being  tour  ol  the  six 
churches  which  participated  in  the  organization  of  the  Friendship 
Association  at  Valley  town,  in  October  1861,  we  know  but  little  of 
their  history  antedating  the  Association;  and,  consequently,  as  they 
have  all  four  withdrawn  from  the  body  and  belong  to  other  Associa- 
tions— we  will  not,  (owing  to  lack  of  information,)  tax  these  pages  by 
endeavoring  to  follow  them  from  their  organizations,  as  we  have  the 
other  churches  which  existed  in  the  present  bounds  of  Tennessee 
River  Association,  being  the  counties  of  Swain  and  Graham  and  Tel- 
lico  church  in  Macon  county,  and  prior  to  the  formation  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, in  1861,  but  will,,  with  this  passing  notice,  say  that  the  above 
named  churches  formed  an  important  basis  upon  which  the  present 
Association,  known  as  Tennessee  River,  has  been  built. 

In  the  pages  following  the  account  of  the  organization  of  the  Asso- 
ciation will  be  found  noted  incidents  of  the  churches  and  noble  breth- 
3   ren  who  have  left  us  and  joined  other  Associations. 


(14 


Chapter  IV,  1861. 
ORGANIZATION  OF  FRIENDSHIP  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Having  gone  through  a  brief  narrative  of  the  churches  and  Baptist 
h%fccry,  in  the  territory  of  the  Association,  previous  to  its  existence 
we  now  co  xmicle  the  organization  and  endeavor  to  follow  the  chain 
of  events  as  they  have  transpired  since  the  churches  formed  into  an 
Association. 

The  Convention,  for  such  was  the  first  meeting  called,  consisting  of 
delegates  from  six  churches,  viz:  Valley  River — Elders  Mark  May 
Wiley  Philips,  and  brethren  James  Whitaker.  Sen.  and  James  Whit- 
aker,  Jr. 

Valley  Town — Elder  James  Kimsey  and  brethren  L.  Gosnel  and 
W.  A.  Parker. 

Nantahala — Ml.    ).  Lunsford. 

Cheoah — W.  B.  Wiggins. 

Murphy— -I.  L.  -Johnson. 

Fort  Lindsey — A.  A.  Justice,  eleven  delegates  in  all,  met  with  Val- 
ley Town  church  on  Valley  River,  in  Cherokee  county,  N.  C,  Oct.  25 
and  26,  1861,  and  organized    the  Friendship  Baptist  Association. 

Adopting  Articles  of  Faith  and  Killers  of  Decorum  for  the  guidance 
of  the  Association,  were  among  the  most  important  transactions  of 
this  first  session.  The  infant  body  opened  correspondence  with  other 
Associations  adjoin g  its  territory. 

No  statistical  table  was  published  ;  therefore,  the  number  of  mem- 
bers in  the  churches  cannot  be  given.  As  the  little  body  was  coeval 
with,  the  war  or  Secession,  but  little  could  be  expected  till  th.it  strug- 
gle was  over. 

According  to  the  official  announcement  of  Moderator,   James    Rim- 


sey,  and  the  Clerk,  Mark  May,  the  meeting  of  this  eonvedtioo  actually 
organized  the  Friendship  Baptist  Association  with  but  four  churches; 
Valley  River,  Valley  Town.  Murphy  and  Cheoah  ;  but  as  before  stated 
A.  4-  Justice,  from  Fort  Lindsey,  and  brother  Lindsford  from  Nanta- 
hala,  participated  in  the  Convention,  as  it  was  called, 
I  We  are  satisfied,  however,  that  Nantahala  church,  near  the  flats  of 
Nantahala,  was  truly  a  constituent  in  ember  of  the  organization,  but 
as  to  Fort  Lindsey,  we  think  it  died,  and  was  never  again  represented 
in  the  Association. 

*  If  a  vestage  of  that  church  lives  at  the  present  time,  it  is  in  the  per- 
son oi  old  brother5Aaron  Miller  and  probably  wo  or  three  other 
members  in  subsequent  organizations  or  churches  called  Nantahala 
|nd  Wesser  Creek,  which  names  appear  farther  on  in  this  work. 

To  show  how  Baptists,  and  especially  those  fathers  of  our  Associaa- 
tion,  held  in  regard  to  the  faith  of  the  Baptists,  and  how  they  hold  in 
regard  to  the  powers  and  duties  of  Associations,  we  here  insert,  in  full 
and  verbatim,  The  Articles  of  Faith  and  Rules  of  Decorum  which  m 
the  Constitution  of  the  Association  which  they  adopted  at  the  first 
meeting  at  Valley  Town. 

ARTICLES  OK    FA'TII." 

1.  "We  believe  in  one  only  living  and  true  God,  and  that  there  are 
three  persons  in  the  Godhead  :  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  that  these  three  are  one. 

I  2.  We  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  are 
the  word  of  God  and  the  only  true  rule  of  word  and  practice. 

3.   We  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  original  sin. 
|  4.    We  believe  in  man's  incompetency  to   recover   himself  from   the 
fallen  state  he  is  in  by  nature,  and   that  justification   in   the  sight  of 
God  is  only  obtained  by  the  righteousness  of -jesus  Christ. 
-  5.   We  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  election   through  sanctification    of 
the  Spirit  and  belie  '  of  the  truth. 

6.  We  believe  that  saints  shall  persevere  in  grace,  and  that  none  of 
them  shall  ever  fall  avvae  and  be  lost. 


■C    *U^       A  r. .,  .1      .,  „  ,1      ..      i      '-    Arv' 


7.  We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the    dead  and  a  general  ju 
merit,  and  that  the  punishment  ot  the  wicked  and  joys   of  the  right- 
eous shall  be  eternal. 

8.  We  believe  that  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  are  ordinances 
instituted  by  Christ,  and  that  true  believers  are  the  only  proper  sub- 
jects thereof. 

9.  We  believe  the  only  true  mode  of  Baptism  is  Immersion. 

10.  We  believe  that  none  have  a  right  to  administer  the  ordinances 
but  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  regularly  ordained  to  that  office. 

RULES  OF  DECORUM. 

1  The  Association  shall  be  composed  of  male  members  chosen  by  the 
churches  which  they  represent,  who  shall  produce  certificates  of  their 
appointment,  accompanied  with  a  statement  of  the  number  in  their 
respective  churches,  of  those  Baptised,  received  by  letter,  dismissed, 
excluded,  restored  and  dead,  during  the  previous  year,  with  the  whole 
number  in  fellowship. 

2  The  members  thus  convened  shall  have  no  power  to  Lord  it  over 
God's  Heritage,  nor  shall  they  infringe  on  any  of  the  internal  rights 
of  any  church  in  the  Union. 

3  The  Association  shall  have  a  Moderator  and  Clerk,  (which  last 
shall  also  be  Treasurer),  who  shall  be  chosen  by  the  suffrage  of  the 
members  present,  and  shall  continue  in  office  until  a  new  appoint- 
ment is  made. 

4  The  Moderator  shall  preserve  order,  and  call  to  its  observance  at 
anytime.  He  shall  have  the  privilege  of  leaving  his  seat,  provided 
the  chair  be  filled,  and  of  engaging  in  debate. 

5  The  Clerk  shall  minute  the  proceedings  of  the  Association  ;  pre- 
pare them  tor  the  press  ;  keep  a  file  of  the  printed  minutes  present 
at  each  session,  for  the  use  of  the  body,  and  deliver  them  over  to  his 
successor.  He  shall  also  take  charge  of  the  money  and  other  property 
belonging  to  the  Association  and  dispose  ot  them  as  the  body  shall 
direct. 

(')   in  the  decision  of  any  question.  a    majority  of  votes   shall   deter- 


(17) 

mine  the  point. 

7.  The  Association  shall  always  he  opened  and  closed  by  prayer. 

8.  Each  member  of  the  Association  will  be  expected  to  he  in  his 
place  at  the  hour  of  meeting,  on  each  day  of  the  session,  and  remain 
until  the  dismission  of  the  body, 

9.  Any  member  wishing  to  speak  shall  rise  from  his  seat  and  ad- 
dress the  Moderator;  he  shall  attend  close  to  his  subject;  shall  make 
no  remarks  on  the  slips  or  blunders  o!  any  who  spoke  before  him.  If 
two  or  more  rise  at  the  same  time,  the  Moderator  shall  name  {he  one 
to  speak  first. 

10.  No  member  shall  absent  himself,  in  time  of  business,  without 
leave  from  the  Moderator. 

11.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  three  times  on  the  same  sub- 
ject without  leave. 

12.  We  admit  of  no  other  title  than  Brother  when  engagofl!  in  busi- 
ness. 

13.  Every  motion  made  and  seconded  shall  come  under  the  consid- 
eration of  the  Association,  except  it  be  withdrawn  by  the  mover, 

14.  Corresponding  messengers    will    be    considered    as    members    of 
_this  body,  and  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  same. 

15.  Ministering  brethren  present  not  belonging  to  this  Association, 
may  be  invited  to  seats,  but  not  to  vote. 

16.  Every  query  sent  by  any  church  in  our  Union  shall  be  attended 
to.  if  it  appears  in  the  church  letter,  ami  the  Association  shall  answer 
it  if  considered  agreeable  to  good  order. 

17.  The  Association  has  power  to  withdraw  from  any  church 
which  deviates  from  the  orthodox  principles  of  the  Gospel  or  fellow- 
ships disorder. 

18.  The  minutes  shall  be  read,  and  ( orrectected  if  need  be.  and 
signed  by  the  Moderator  and  Clerk  before  the  Association  rises. 

19.  Any  church  wishing  to  be  admitted  into  this  Association  may 
petition  by  letter  and  delegates,  and  if  orthodox  and  orderly,  shall  be 
received,  and  their  reception  made  manifest  by  the  Moderator  giving 
them  the  right  hand  ami  inviting  them  to  seats. 


(18) 

20.  The  Association  may  appoint  any  member  or  members,  by  and 
with  their  consent,  as  committees,  or  otherwise,  to  transact  any  busi- 
ness which  they  may  think  proper. 

21.  This  Association  will  appreciate  and  encourage  a  sound  min- 
istry while  she  will  cry  down  an  unsound  and  disorderly  one. 

22.  This  Association  shall  not  send  help  to  any  church  in  our  Union 
by  authority  of  an  Association,  but  advise  churches  to  apply  to  sister 
churches  for  help  if  necessary. 

23.  The  Association  may  adjourn  at  any  time  which  they  may 
think  proper.  Amendments  to  this  plan  or  form  of  government  may 
be  made  at  any  time  by  a  majority  of  the  Association,  npon  the  con- 
clusion of  the  whole:  We  assume  no  higher  power  or  authority  than 
the  Advisory  council." 

The  first  session  of  the  Association  was  held  with  Valley  Town 
church  and  transacted  its  business,  we  suppose,  according  to  the  ap- 
pointment made  by  the  organizing  convention,  which  was  to  take 
place  on  Friday  before  the  second  Sunday  in  October,  1862. 

We  think  Elder  James  Kimsey  was  Moderator,  and  from  a  report 
of  a  special  committee  made  to  the  Association  at  its  session  in  1864, 
we  know  that  brother  A.  Taylor  wTas  Clerk. 

As  the  minutes  of  this  session  were  never  printed,  we  have  but  a 
meagre  knowledge  of  the  history  for  the  year  1862. 

We  see  by  subsequent  account  of  this  matter  that  the  failure  to 
have  the  minutes  printed  for  1862,  was  attributable  to  brother  Taylor, 
the  Clerk. 

It  is  proper  to  say  that  two  churches  were  admitted  into  the  Asso- 
ciation at  the  session  of  1862,  viz  :  New  Hope,  in  Clay  county,  N.  C, 
and  New  Prospect,  subsequently  named  Stecoah,  in  Cherokee  county. 
N.  C. 

As  to  the  progress  of  the  churches  for  this  year,  we  cannot  speak, 
as  there  are  no  statistics  given  in  the  minutes. 

Tn  1863  the  Association  was  to  have  met  with  New  Prospect 
church,  ami  according  toaccount  given  in  the  minutes  for  1864,  Valley 
River.  Valley  Town,  New  Hope  and  Oheo&h,  through    their  delegates, 


(19) 

got  together,  but  in  consequence  of  hostile  parties  of  men  raiding  and 
plundering  the  country  about  New  Prospect,  it  was  decided  not  to 
enter  into  the  business  of  an  Association. 

It  was  at  this  session,  the  failure  of  which  we  have  shown;  that 
Cold  Spring  Baptist  church  was  to  join  the  young  Association,  as  ap- 
pears from  the  records  of  said  church.  A.  W.  Davis  and  J.  M.  Smiley 
were  elected  delegates  to  hear  the  petition  for  admission,  but  the  min- 
utes of  the  Association  do  not  show  that  Cold  Spring  ever  joined. 

Again,  the  name  of  Stecoah  appears  in  the  minutes,  or  first  statis- 
tical table  ever  printed,  being  that,  of  1865,  but  when  and  where  it 
joined  the  Friendship  Association  is  not  shown  in  the  minutes,  but 
we  think  it  likely  that  this  church  which  was  afterward  named  Tenn- 
essee River,  as  will  be  seen  further  on,  joined  or  was  to  have  joined 
the  Association,  in  1863,  at  New  Brospeet  church,  hut  the  failure  to 
hold  the  Association  that  year,  has  cause  of  loss  of  th  '  account  of  those 
two  churches  joining  the  body. 

The  Association  met  in  1864  with  Valley  River  church  on  Satur- 
day, Oct.  8th,  and  was  in  session  three  days.  Elder  James  Kimsev 
preached   the  Introductory  from  Thess.  5th  chapt, 

A  delegation  from  a  few  of  the  churches  assembled  and  organized 
the  body  by  appointing  James  Whitaker  Sr..  Moderator,  and  Charles 
N.  George,  Clerk. 

This  session  did  but  litttie  business.  Appointing  its  accustomed 
correspondence  to  sister  Associations,  adopting  a  most  excellent  cir- 
cular letter  written  by  James  Whitaker,  Sr.,  o;.  the  subject 'of  the 
Christian  warfare,  setting  forth  a  preamble  or  report  showing  the 
failure  of  the  session  of  1868  and  failure  to  get  tin-  minutes  printed  tor 
1862,  and  instructing  brother  George  to  hunt  up  said  manuscript  and 
money  which  he  failed  to  find,  was  about  all  the  business,  done  tins 
session  save  appointing  the  time,  place,  and  preacher  lor  the  Associa- 
tion in  1865,  which  was  to  convene  at  New  Hope  church  in  (lav 
countv,  North  Carolina. 

As  there  is  no  statistical  table  for  this  year  we  can  say  but  little  tor 
the  progress  qf  the  body,  but  we  infer  that    the    number   .if  churches 


(20) 

participating  ill  the  Association  for  1864  and  those  which  had  become 
connected  with  the  young  body  up  to  this  time,  as  the  minutes  tor 
1865  lead  us  to  believe,  there  were  Valley  liiver,  Valley  Town,  Oheoah, 
New  Hope,  Murphy,  Nantahala,  New  Prospect,  Cold  Spring  and  Ste- 
coah,  with  a  total  membership  not  exceeding  two  hundred  and  fifty. 
The  great  Secession  war  had  prostrated,  and  demoralized  the  whole 
country,  so  that  churches  suffered  from  its  distressing  consequences 
and  Zion  languished  throughout  our  bounds.  The  Whitakers,  Eider 
Kimsey  and  a  few  other  old  brethren  and  sisters  who  were  not  called  to 
the  front  in  the  struggle,  remained  at  their  post  at  home  and  watched 
and  prayed  for  Zion  and  the  welfare  of  the  country,  but  revivals  were 
few  and  small. 


(21 


Chapter  V. 

The  fourth,  or  rather  the  fifth  session,  counting  the  meeting  which 
organized  the  body,  was  held  with  New  Hope  church,  .Clay  county, 
N.  C,  September  8th  and  9th,  1865.  The  Introductory  was  preached 
by  Elder  James  Kimsey.  J?rnes  Whitaker  Si\,  was  the  Moderator 
and  J.  A.  Kimsey  Clerk. 

The  great  Secession  war  was  ended,  but  the  prostrate  condition  of 
the  country,  caused  by  the  evils  following  such  troubles  was  felt  in 
every  institution,  churches  as  well  as  all  others.  Mail  Facilities  were 
sjach  that  but  little  could  be  learned  or  communicated  save  what 
passed  orally  from  person  to  person  and  the  whole  southern  country 
was  one  sad  spectacle  of  poverty  and  rum  ;  consequently,  there  was 
but  little  money  to  start  with,  to  begin  anew  to  revive,  upon  the  ruins 
of  this  much  devasted  country,  the  noble  schools  and  churches  which 
had  suffered  so  much  by  the  shock  of  war. 

The  Friendship  Association  held  this  fifth  session  with  only  live  of 
her  nine  churches  represented,  viz:  Valley  River,  James  Whitaker 
Sr.  ami  James  Whitaker  Jr.,    Elder    W.  Philips. 

Cheoah — C.  N    George  and  William  Deaver. 

Valley  Town — Brother  Taylor,  Rider  Kimsey  and  J.  A.  Kimsey. 

New  Hope — Isaac  Watts,  and  two  more  brethren.  Garrison  and 
Watts. 

Murphy — James  Johnson/  twelve  delegates.  •  * 

There  was  neither  delegates  or  reports  from  Xantahala,  New  Pros- 
pect, Cold  Spring  and  Stecoah  churches. 

Elder  E.  Hedden,  Hiawassee  Association,  Eld.  J.  B.  Parham  and 
brethren  Isaac  F  lemming  and  A.  IT.  Hampton  from  Nantahala  River 
were  present  as  corresponding  messengers. 


(22) 

As  to  the  usual  business  transactions  of  the  body,  they  consisted,  ot 
organization  after  reading  letters  from  the  churches,  receiving  corres- 
pondence to  other  Associations  and  send  corresponding  letters. 

Appoint  Introductory  preacher  and  time  and  place  for  succeeding 
session,  hear  and  consider  reports  of  cominittes,  etc. 

The  Association  for  1865,  made  its  first  attempt  to  oiganize  Sunday 
schools  by  appointing  a  committee  on  the  subject  and  passing  a  reso- 
lution instructing  the  churches  to  organize  Bundiy  schools  where  they 
could  get  suitable  teachers. 

The  contribution  for  minutes,  being  $8  52,  was  the  only  financial 
report. 

There  had  been  three  baptisms  in  Valley  River  during  the  Assoeia- 
tional  year,  one  by  letter  was  received  in  each  of  the  churches,  Gheoah 
and  Valley  Town,  three  restored  into  the  fellowship  of  Valley  River. 

•One  death  in  Cheoah  and  one  death  in  Murphy  with  a  standing- 
total  membership  in  the  rive  churches  represented  of  128.  Taking 
those  four  churches  not  represented  in  1865  and  the  whole  member- 
ship cannot  be  safely  estimated  at  exceeding  three  hundred. 

Thus  with  three  ministeis,  viz  :  James  Kimsev.  Mark  May  and 
Wiley  Philips  and  this  small  membership  scattered  over  part  of  Cher- 
okee, Clay  and  Macon  counties,  N.  C,  did  the  Friendship  Baptist 
Association  emerge  from  the  distracting  war  times. 

In  the  year  1866  a  brighter  day  of  prosperity  and  growth  dawned 
upon  the  Association. 

The  annual  session  was  held  with  Valley  River  church  7th  and  Nth 
of  September  1866 

James  YVhitaker  Sr.,  was  Moderator,  and  .1.  A.  Kinisey,  (Jerk. 
Elder  J.  B.  Parbam,  of  Notolah  Association  had  been  appointed  td 
jbreacfy  the  Introductory  sermon,  which  place  he  filled  with  one  oi  the 
best  oi  efforts.  At  this  session  every  church  was  represented  by  dele- 
gates, except  Murphy,  and  it  sent  a  letter  and  statistics.  Thirty-four 
delegates  were  present,  Brush  ('reek  church  from  Tuck  as  iege  Associ- 
ation was  recieved  by  letter,  adding  Allen  Amnions  and  A.  A.  Jus- 
tice 1«>  the  list  of  ordained  ministers  iwx]  seventV-five  members. 


(23; 

Panther  Creek  church  organized   in 1866  by  Elders 


was  recieved  with  its  delegates,  Louis  Medlin  and  son,  L.  M.  Medlin, 
adding  a  membership  of  thirteen. 

Peaceful  Traveller,  an  Indian  church  newly  organized  with  a  mem- 
bership of  sixteen,  was  also  recieved  and  Elder  John  Shell,  their 
preacher,  was  added  to  the  list  of  ministers.  This  later  church  was 
*  also  dismissed  in  a  body  to  go  to  the  Indian  Territory  which  th@y 
subsequently  did. 

There  had  been  fifty-three  persons  baptized  during  the  year,  two  in 
Valley  River  church,  one  in  Murphy,  thirty-one  in  Cold  Spring,  six 
in  Stecoah  and  one  in  Peaceful  Traveller. 

Twenty  had  been  recieved  by  tetter  in  all  the  churches;  seventeen 
excluded,  six  restored,  thirty-three  dismissed  and  one  died,  total  mem- 
bership tour  hundred  and  five. 

The  usual  committees  for  this  sixth  session  were  Arrangements, 
Preaching,  Finance  and  Sunday  schools. 

Correspondence  were  recieved  from  tliawassee  Association  by  Elder 
E.  Hedden.  from  Notiv  Association  by  Elder  J.  B.  Parham  and  from 
Tuckasige  Association  Elders  Samuel  Gibson  and  A.  A.  .Justice,  and 
correspondence  was  appointed  in  return  to  those  bodies. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  have  the  life  and  writings  of  James  Whit- 
aker,  Sr.,  published  in  book  form  by  appointing  a  joint  committee  on 
this  business  to  act  in  concert  with  a  committee  from  Hiawassee  Asso- 
ciation. 

Friendship  committee— Elders  James  Kimsey  and  C.  X,  (leofge 
and  James  Whitaker,  Jr. 

A  favorable  report  ol  the  committee  was  made  at  a  future  session 
and  a  biographer  or  writer  engaged  but  so  far  as  we  are  informed  th  ■ 
work  was  never  published. 

As  it  was  customary  for  the  Associations  to  have  Circular  etttjrs 
written  to  be  printed  in  their  minutes,  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  did  brother 
James  Whitaker,  Sr.,  this  year  on    the  subject    of   "Brotherly    Love.  ' 

Noble  effort,  indeed,  did  he  make  and  closed  his  letter  with  the  fol- 
lowing rhyme  which  was  hi*  own  production ; 


(24) 

,k 'Tis  love  that  rules  the  Christian's  heart, 
Both  near  at  home,  and  far  apart, 
The  body  thus  of  Christ  they  are 
And  members  in  particular. 

Then  if  a  brother  should  transgress, 
A  secret  dealing  God  will  bless, 
Go  to  Him  and  his  faults  make  known, 
Between  Himself  and  thee  alone. 

And  if  he  hear  thee,  well  and  good, 
His  siri  is  washed  in  .Jesus'  blood, 
Your  brother  thus  restored  to  you, 
Your  love  to  Him  should  still  be  true. 

But  if  he  should  neglect  to  hear, 
Distressing  thought  for  yon   to  bear, 
Co  see  your  labor  prove  in    vain, 
Your  brother  in  his  sins  remain. 

But   mind  the  rule  our  Lord  has  sent, 
The  second  time  he  may  repent, 
And  if  he  does  forgive  him  then, 
As  God  foigives  the  sons  of  men. 

Take  with  you,  one  or  two  beside, 
And  pray  the  Lord  to  be  your  guide, 
And  tell  him  in  a  loving  strain. 
The  place  you  think  his  sins  -remain. 

Perhaps  the  two  you  take  along, 
May  be  the  means  to  show  hi*  wrong. 
Then  joyful  if  the  Lord  should  bless,. 
Your  brother  with  discerning  grace. 

But  if  he  still  unfeeling  prove, 
Let  faithfulness  he  joined  with  love, 
For  in  the  Gospel  field  we  Know, 
One  other   step  does  plainly  show, 

The  Church,  that  body,  sacred  place, 
Must  hear  your  much  distressing  case. 
Likewise  a  full  decision  give, 
That  everv  child  of  God  mav  live. 


r2t» 

But  if  the  church  he  will   not  hear. 
He's  in  his  sins,  but  you  are  clear; 
Then  unto  thee,  let  him  remain, 
And  heathen  and  a  publican." 

KThe  session  for  1866,  ended  in  love  and  prosperity.  Eider  Kimsey 
Was  made  to  express  his  joy  at  the  thought  of  the  added  strength  in 
ministers  and  members. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  churches  with  delegations  as  sent  to  this 
session  which  was  held  with  Valley  River  church: 

Valley  River — W.  Philips,  James  Whitaker,  Si\,  and  James  Whita- 
ler,  Jr. 

Cheoah — Wm.  Deaver,  Jacob  Davis,  W.  Sumpter,  and  CX  N   Geprge* 

Valley  Town— James  Kimsey  and  J.  A.  Kimsey. 

Nantahala— M.  May,  G.  W.  Yonce,  M.  Lunsford  and  J.  Fonts, 

New  Hope — Isaac  Watts. 

New  Prospect — John  Hyde,  J.  C,  Owensby,  J,  L.  Crisp  and  3VL  Bt 
Crisp. 

Murphy — By  letter. 

Cold  Spring — John  DeHart,  J.  S.  Smiley  and  M.  Qoekerham, 

Stecoah— P.  Crisp,  11  L.  Sawyer,  Robert  Crisp. 

Brush  Creek -A.  Amnions,  A,  A.  Justice,   H,   Manly,    i),  Wall  and 

H.  McHan. 

Panther  Creek— L.  Medlin  and  P.  M,  Medliil, 

Peaceful  Traveler— John  Shell,  G.  F.  Morris  and  D,  M.  Morris. 

The  Association  year,  1867,  Was  not  characterized  by  any  verv  no- 
table events,  and  there  was  a  fall  off  in  the  total  membership  from 
405  to  377. 

Peaceful  Traveler  church  had  gone  to  Indian  Territory,  ;>ttd  no 
church  had  joined  the  Association, 

This  year  the  Association  met  with  Cold  Spring  chtireh,  then  in 
Macon  county,  N.  C,  and  was  in  session  three  days,  commencing 
Friday,  Sept.  6th. 

Xjie  venerable  James  Ivimsev  pleached  the  tntrodltctev  fm>m  '2 
Tim.  4:  and  latter  clans;-  of  7  verse. 


(26) 

Elder  Kimsey  was  Moderator  and  his  son,  Joseph  A.  Kimsey,  Cle 
Only  nineteen  messengers  were  present  at  this  session.  From  Vail 
River  church,  James  Whitaker,  Jr.,  and  B.  F.  Adams  :  from  Cheod 
C.  N.  George,  William  Deaver,  William  Sumpter,  and  G.  W.  Hoopf 
from  Valley  Town,  James  Kimsey  and  J.  A.  Kimsey;  from  Nantji 
hala,  M.  Barnes ;  from  New  Prospect,  J.  C.  Owenby  ;  from  Cold  Spriq! 
John  DeHart,  John  Earls  and  M.  Cockerham ;  from  Stecoah,  Pend1 
ton  Crisp;  from  Brush  Greek,  A.  Amnions,  J.  M,  Thomasson,  J. 
Edwards  and  S.  J.  Freeman  ;  from  Panther  Creek,  Louis  Medlin  a 
J.  L.  Proctor,  and  from  Murphy  and  New  Hope  no  delegates.  N 
Hope  church  was  never  again  represented  and  was  lost  to  the  Assj 
dation,  but  from  what  cause  we  are  not  informed. 

1'wentv-six  had  been  added  to  the  churches  by  baptism,  viz  :  ^ 
Valley  River,  two;  Cheoah,  four;  Nantahala,  fourteen;  Cold  Sprinj 
one;  Brush  Creek,  four;  Panther  Creek,  one.  In  all  the  churches 
were  received  by  letter,  32  dismissed,  13  excluded,  2  restored,  and  fo 
died  during  the  year. 

Only  three  committees  were  appointed  at  this  session.   On  Arrang 
ments— -  Elder  A.  Amnions,  James  Whitaker,  Jr.,   C.    N.    George    an«| 
Moderator  and  Clerk. 

Preaching— John  Dehart,  Wm.  Deaver  and  I..  Medlin. 

Finance-— William  Sumpter  and  J.  M.  Thomasson. 

Nothing  was  raised  for  any  object,  except  twenty  dollars  for  prin 
ing  the  minutes  of  the  Association,  Corresponding  Messengers  wh 
visited  inthe  little  Association  1867,  Elders  Samuel  Gibson,  Merit 
Rickman,  and  brethren  P.  G,  Green,  W  P.  Allison,  from  Tuckaseig 
Association,  and  Elder  E.  A,  Deweeee.  from  Liberty  Association., 

Correspondence  was  appointed  t<»  the  several    Associations,  Tuck 
seige»  Hiwassee,  Liberty  and  Notley.    Union  Meetings  were  appointe 
one  in  each  of  three  Union  Districts  into  which   the   Association   ha 
been  divided.     These  meetings  were  for  the  discussion  of  Ministeria 
and  Deacons*  duties  and  other  points  of  doctrine  and   qhurch  discip 

line 
Two  Queries  were  fceai  up  io  the  Association,  which  were  answers] 


(27) 

in  the  negative.    •  A  query  from  New  Prospect  church  in  these  words  : 

"Is  it  Bible  order  for  a  church  to  call  a  supply  out  ot  her  bounds, 
when  she  has  an  ordained  minister  in  her  own  church  ?  " 

Query  from  Valley  River  :  "Is  it  good  order  for  churches  in  our 
Union  to  receive  members  under  their  watch-care  and  then  grant 
said  members  letters  of  dismission  ?  " 

The  body  received  a  favorable  report  from  the  Book  Committee  on 
the  Life  and  Writings  of  James  Whi taker,  Sen*s  and  appointed  two 
Agents  to  raise  funds  for  the  publication  of  the  work. 

Thus  the  workings  of  the  churches  and  Association,  for  1867,  passed 
into  history,  as  nothing  more  of  importance  took  place  except  the 
adoption  of  a  Circular  Letter  by  James  Whitaker,  Sen.,  taking  ground 
that  Moses  was  translated  instead  of  dying. 

The  year  1868,  had  been  more  prosperous  than  the  year  previous, 
The  Association  met  in  its  seventh  anniversary  with  New  Prospect 
church.  Elder  Kimsey  was  Moderator  and  James  Whitaker,  Jr.,  Clerk. 

EVler  A.  Ammohs  preached  the  Introductory  from  Eph.  4:4. 

MESSENGERS  OR    DELEGATES, 

Valley  River— James  Whitaker.  Jr.,  Hyatt,  E.  E.  Sharp. 

Cheoah— Jacob  Davis.  Joshua  Gibson.  William  Carpenter,  G,  W, 
Hooper,  William  Davis. 

Valley  Town — -Rev,  James  Kimsey. 

Nantahala — 'Rev.  Mark  May,  M.  Barnes.  Joseph  Stepp, 

New  Prospect— J.  L.  Crisp,  J,  C.  Owensby.  W\  A.  Crisp, 

Cold  Spring — J.  M,  Smiley. 

Stecoah— P.  Criso. 

Brush  Creek-  Elder  Allen  Amnions.  H,  Manley,  X).  Wail,  W.  R, 
Simonds,  -I.  M.  Thoma^son. 

Panther  Creek— VV.  Proctor,  L.  Medlin,  J.  (\  Proctor, 

Alarka— R.  M'.  Roberts.  J,  T,  CJpton, 

Bu ffalo— Colonawbeska,  Elam,  ("Indians,) 

Murphy  church  was  not  represented. 

Akvku  church  had  been  organ  used  in  Feb.  1 868,  by   Elders  Samuel 


(28) 

Gibson  and  Meritt  Rickman  with  nine  members,  and  was  recieved 
into  the  Association  at  the  session  of  1868,  which  commenced  October 
3rd,  and  Buffalo,  and  Indian  church  was  recieved  by  letter  from 
Hiawassee  Association,  Nantahala  church  was  dismissed  from  the 
Association  by  which  it  sustained  a  loss  of  forty-four  members  and 
one  of  its  ablest  ministers,  viz  :  M.  May. 

But  three  standing  committees  wsre  appointed  at  this  session. 

Arrangements — Elder  A.  Amnions,  J.  M.   Smiley,  J.  L.  Crisp. 

Preaching — J.  Davis,  D.  Wall,  Ute  Hyatt,  J.  L.  Crisp,  J.  C.  Owensby. 

Finance — J.  M-  Thomasson  and  William  Carpenter. 

Merritt  Rickman,  Samuel  Gibson,  W.  Dewreese,  P.  R.  Rickman    and 
»T.  D,  Franks  were  received  as    messengers   from    Tuckaseige    Associa- 
tion, and  Berry  Chastain  as  a  messenger  from     Hiwassee    Association, 
S.     M.    McCurley  from  Notley  and  M.  S.  Hall  from  Liberty.      Frater-    j 
nal  relations    wTere  reciprocated  by  appointing  messengers   to   all    the 
above    named    Baptist   Associations.      Appointing    Union    Meetings.    \ 
adopting  a  Circular  letter  by  James  Whitaker,  Sr.,  on    the   subject   of  j 
"Brotherly  Love,"  recommending  churches   to    hold    prayer    meeting, 
adopting  a  resolution  to  patronize  Tuckaseige  Baptist  High  School   at 
Holly  Spring  in  Macon  Co.,  N.  C,  and  a  report  of  the  Book  Committee, 
report  on  Finance  and  some  other  matters  were  about  all   that  engag* 
ed  the  attention  of  the  session. 

The  Book  Committee1-;  report  Was  still  favorable  as  to  the  Life  and 
Writings  of  old  brother  Whitaker,  but  the  funds,  owing  to  hard  times, 
had  not  been  raised  to  print  it,  but  a  compiler  of  the  book,  M  R. 
Ramsey,  EJsq.,  had  been  engaged,  and  with  this  the  matter  or^publish- 
ing  Father  Whitaker's  Life  and  Writings  ended,  so  far  as  the  Associa- 
tion was  concerned. 

Twenty  members  had  been  added  to  Valley  River  church  by  bap- 
tism, and  twenty-nine  by  ba$)ti^m  in  all  the  churches  of  the  Associa- 
tion. Twenty*five  received  by  Letter,  twenty-seven  diss'missed,  nine- 
if--;  ex  jluded,  four  restored,  and  '^v,v  died,  during  tha  year,  leaving 
■\  total  mtuiibershi  p  o1  465, 

Nothing  on  thy  subject  of  -Sunday  schools  oi  Missions  had  been  at- 


.     <  29) 

tempted,  and  no  ministers  had  been  ordained,  and  with  the  loss  of 
Elder  May,  the  ordained  ministers  were  James  Kimsey,  Allen  Am- 
nions and  Wiley  Philips,  according  to  our  best  information. 

The  Association  met  with  V alley  River  church  in  its  Eighth  Ses- 
sion and  was  in  session  four  days,  commencing  Oct.  1st. 

Elder  Kimsey  preached  the  Introductory  from  Ezra  8  :90 

James  Whitaker.  Sr.,  James  Whitaker,  Jr.,  James  McBrayer  and 
Ute  Hyatt,  from  Valley  River ;  J.  Davis,  Wm.  Guntei\  C.  Hudson, 
L.  Farr  and  brother  Brooks,  from  Cheoah  ;  James  Kimsey,  Valley 
Town  ;  J.  R.  Lindsay,  Murphy;  J.  M.  Smiley,  Cold  Spring;  John 
Hyde,  Tennessee  River;  R.  M.  Roberts,  Alarka  ;  A  Ammons,  Brash 
Creek  ;  William  Proctor.  Panther  Creek ;  Cullowheskee,  Tetoheske, 
Buffalo,  constituted  the  delegation.  New  Prospect  was  not  represented. 

James  Kimsey  was  Moderator  and  James  Whitaker,  Jr.,  Clerk. 
An  able  minister  by  the  name  of  James  Underwood  from  Ellijay  As- 
sociation, G:a.,  was  present  as  a  Transient  minister,  and  rendered 
valuable  aid  to  the  body.  Correspondence  from  Tuckaseige  Associa- 
tion, Elder  Joshua  Ammons  and  his  son  John  Ammons,  and  Elders 
Alfred  and  Jesse  Corn  from  Hiwassee. 

This  session  widened  the  scope  of  its  work  by  appointing  more 
committees  than  usual,  viz  :  a  committee  on  Deceased  Members  arid 
a  committee  on  Sunday  Schools. 

Elder  James  McBrayer,  of  Valley  River  ehurch,  had  moved  into 
the  bounds,  and  R.  M.  Roberts,  of  Alarka  church,  had  been  ordained 
in  the  month  of  June,  increasing  the  list  of  ministers.  The  Associa- 
tion reduced  the  number  of  Union  Meeting  Districts  to  two. 

The  name  of  Stecoah  church  had  been  changed  during  the  year  to 
T'-:inessee  River. 

"The  custom  of  writing  Corresponding  Letters  to  sister  Associations 
was  kept  up. 

James  Whitaker,  Sr.,  had  been  the   writer   of    the    Circular    Letter. 

This  year  it  was  on  the  subject   the    ''Office  and    work    of  the    Holy 

'Spirit,"  but  it  was  short,  the  writer  confessing  it  to   be   too   deep   for 

his  pen.     The  churches  were   advised  at   this  session  to  endeavor  to 


(W) 

create  a  Church  Fund  to  pay  their  preacher  and  other  incidental  ex- 
penses of  the  churches. 

An  earnest  report  on  Sunday  Schools  was  made  by  the  committee, 
Elders  Underwocod  and  A.  Corn,  urging  the  churches  to  look  well  to 
this  branch  oi  Christian  duty,  and  recommend  the  people  to  purchase 
Sunday  School  books  from  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society. 
Nothing  bad  been  done,  prior  to  this,  in  the  Association,  or  if  so  no 
reports  of  Sunday  Schools  were  made  by  the  churches  to  the  body. 
The  name  of  the  Association  was  changed  to  Tennessee  River. 

Death  had  removed  five  ot  the  members  from  the  church  militant. 
Sister  Elizabeth  Howell,  94  years  of  age  and  a  member  78  years,  had 
gone  from  Valley  River.  Also  Charles  N.  George,  78  years  of  age, 
had  passed  away.  Sister  Sarah  J.  Kimsey,  wife  oi  Elder  Kimsey  and 
one  of  the  model  women,  had  gone. 

Cheoah  church  had  been  blessed  wi|h  a  most  glorious  revival,  and 
forty-three  members  were  added  to  it  by  baptism.  This  work,  under 
God,  was  the  result  of  a  protracted  meeting  held  with  this  church  of 
18  days  during  October.,  1868,  by  Elder  A.  Amnions,  assisted  by  J. 
M.  Smiley,  a  licentiate.  Elder  Amnions  baptized  thirty -three  of 
these  converts  in  twenty-five  minutes. 

Fifty-three  had  been  baptized  in  all  the  churches,  52  received  by 
letter,  43  dismissed,  19  excluded,  4  restored  and  5  died,  leaving  the 
total  membership  of  the  Association  420. 

Eighteen  dollars  for  printing  minutes  made  up  the  finance. 


I  *1 1 

Chapter    VI. 

The  Association  is  now  known  as  Valley  River. 

With  the  year,  1870,  a  new  era  seems  to  have  dawned  upon  the 
Association.  The  body  met  this  year,  Sept.  2nd  with  Cheoah  church. 
Elder  A.  Ammons  preached  the  Introductory  from  1st  Cor.  16:13, 
The  death  of  Moderator  Kimsey,  made  the  Chair  vacant  at  the  open- 
ing of  this  sesion  and  A.  Ammons  was  called  to  the  Moderatorship 
for  the  first  time.     Jamss  Whitaker,  Jr ,  was  again  chosen  Clerk, 

Ten  churches  were  represented  in  this  Council.  New  Hope  still 
appears   on  the  roll  of  churches,  but  without  representation. 

MESSENGERS  FROM  THE    CHURCHES, 

Elders  Wiley  Philips  and  James  MeBrayer,  and  James  Whitaker, 
Jr.  and  Ute  Hyatt,  from  Valley  River :  G,  W,  Hooper,  Clinton  Hud- 
eon,  Jacob  Davis,  William  Carpenter,  Cheoah  ;  M,  Saunders  from 
Murphy;  J.  M.  Smiley,  J.  S.  Smiley,  Cold  Spring;  John  Hyde. 
David  Welch,  Tennessee  River ;  Elder  R.  M,  Roberts,  Alarka;  A, 
Ammons,  D.  Wall,  J.  R.  Edwards,  Brush  Creek;  B,  L.  Morgan,  M. 
Bradshaw,  Panther  Creek  ;  J.  L.  Crisp,  J,  C.  Owensby,  R.  H.  Owens- 
by,  W.  A.  Crisp,  Stecoah,  which  church  had  been  changed  in  name 
from  New  Prospect  to  the  present  one  in  order  to  more  definitely 
locate  its  situation.  Buffalo  was  represented  by  Arquetake,  Jesse 
Dickageeska.       Valley  Town  church  was  not  represented. 

MESSENGERS  FROM  ASSOCIATIONS. 

Elder  Jesse  Corn,  J,  R.  Harrison.  J,  Taylor,  W.  M.  Robinson, 
Hiawassee  Association  ;     J„  B,  Gibson,  Tuckaseige  Association, 

BUSINESS  COMMITTEES. 

Arrangements— J essee  Corn,  Ute    Hyatt,  I).  Wall, 

Preaching— J.  L.  Crisp,  J.  Davis,  Ute  Hyatt. 

Changes,  a  term  used  instead  of  Deceased  Members,  upon  which  i\ 
Hudson,  J.  C.  Owensby  and  M.  Launders  were  put  as  committee, 
I  J.  Corn,  W.  Philips,' R.  M.  Roberts— Sunday  schools. 
I  Nine  members  had  died  during  the  year.  The  venerable  James 
Kimsey,  one  of  the  giant  men  of  the  Association  had  closed  his  earth- 
ly career  and  Manos  Morgan,  77  years  old,  of  Panther  Creek,  and 
seven  Indians  of  Buffalo  church.  Sabbath  schools  had  taken  a  hope- 
ful rise  as  there  bad  been  several  among  the  churches  during  theyear, 
As  usual,  correspondence  with  other  Associations  was  kept  up, 

The  Circular  Letter,  subject  "Relative  Duties  of  Churches  and 
Ministers  Pastors  of  Churches,"  was  an  able  paper  by  James  Whitaker, 
Sr,  Also  a  sketch  of  the  Life  of  James  Kimsey  was  written  by  Father 
Whitaker  to  appear  elsewhere. 


(Til 


'  (32 ) 

Transient  Ministers,  I.  T.  Sherrill  and   Alfred    Corn    were   present 
and  did  the  Sunday  preaching,    Elder  Sherrili  making  an   unusually  iivi 
good  effort  carrying  off  the  congregation.  fibi 

The  year  1870,  was  not  noted  for  a  large  number  of  baptisms,  there 
being  only  28  in  all  the  churches,  the  Indian  church  having  baptized 
10;     Valley  River  comes  next  with  8  baptisms.  ko 

Total  membership  in  all  the  churches,  483,  a  net  gain  of  63  during  b 
the  year. 

The  year  1870  closed  out  with  the  following  ministers: 

A.  Ammons,  of  Brush  Creek,  R.  M.  Roberts,  of  Alarka,  Wiley  Phil-  f. 
ips  and  James  McBrayer,  of  Valley  River,  Elier  Ratler,   (Indian,)    the 
ordained  ministers. 

Licentiates  were  J.  M.  Smiley,  of  Cold  Spring,  G.  W.  Hooper,  of 
Cheoah  and  John  James. 

The  tenth  Anniversary,  embracing  the  history  of  the  Association  |fl 
1  891  met  with  Brush  Creek  church,  Swain  county,  X.  C,  Sept.  1st.  lar 
Introductory  sermon  by  R.  M.  Roberts  trom  2nd  Cor.  6  :1.  line 

The  name  of  the  Association  having  been  changed  from  Friendship    if  I 
to  Valley  River,  in  1869,  now  entered  upon  its  second   session    under  \f 
the  new  name.     Allen  Ammons  was  Moderator  and  James  Whitaker 
Jr.  Clerk.     Every  church  was  represented,  except  Valley  Town  and  it  }oa 
sent  in  a  letter  and  statistics. 

Messengers  of  the  churches  present  were  R.  M.  Roberts,  John  Wig-  n 
gins,  T.  L.  Passmore,  Joseph  Mason,  P.  II.  Mason,  Alarka  church  ;  A  ei 
Ammons,  B.  McHan,  D.  Wall,  J.  W.  DeHart,  Brush  Creek  church  ; 
Tahqutchee,  H.  Rath  bone,  Isaac  Cheoah,  Tahchanochutee,  Indiana 
from  Buffalo;  G.  W.  Hooper.  J,  Sherrill,  J.  Davis,  Thomas  Am- 
mons, Cheoah;  J.  M.  Smiley.  J.  M.  Thbtaasson,  John  Earls,  John 
DeHart,  J.  S.  Panther,  L.  L.  Thomasson,  Cold  Spring;  Jesse  Corn 
J,  R.  Lindsay.  William  Sumpter,  Murphy  ;  W.  Proctor,  L.  M.  Med-  th 
Tin,  B.  L  Morgan,  Panther  Creek  ;  J.  L.  Crisp.  W.  D.  Crisp,  M  A 
Crisp.  D.  A.  Taylor,  Stecoah  church;  John  Hyde,  David  Welch,  W.  L 
F.  Whiteside.  P.  Crisp,  Tennessee  River  church;     J.    M.    McBrayer, 


(33) 

V.  Philips,  Ute  Hyatt,  H.  P.  Adams,  James  Whitaker,  Jr.,  Valley 
liver.  Messengers  from  sister  Associations  were  M.  May,  Samuel 
ribson,  P.  G.  Green,  J.  D.  Franks,  H.  J.  Beck,  J,.  M.  Forester  from 
'uckaseige.  David  Owl  from  Liberty,  and  corresponding  letters 
fere  received  from  Hiwassee  and  Notley  Associations.  The  several 
ommittees  were  Jesse  Corn,  Ute  Hyatt  and  J.  D.  Franks. — Arrange- 
nents. 

Jacob  Davis,  B.  Mclian,  W.  Sumpter — Preaching. 

E.  M.  Roberts,  J.  L.  Crisp,  L.  M.  MedHn  — Sunday  schools. 
W.  Philips,  J.  M.  Thomasson,  G.  W.  Hooper.     Changes,  J.  M  Smiley, 
William  Proctor— To  write  Corresponding  Letters. 

J.  R.  Lindsay,  J.  M.  Thomasson,  Pendleton  Crisp — Finance. 

Correspondence  was  kept  up  with  other  Associations. 

Transient  ministers  present  were  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  holding  a  Letter 
)f  Dismission  and  A.  A,  Justice  from  Tuckasiege  Association.  Oircu- 
ar  Letter  by  James  Whitaker  on  ''Ordinances  of  the  Church"  adopted 
md  he  continued  to  write  a  letter  next  year.  Struck  out  the  subject 
)f  Union  meetings  by  which  this  very  useful  custom  among  the 
churches,  which  had  previously  been  kept  up  in  the  Association,  was 
liscontinued  for  a  time.  Murphy  church  was  dismissed  to  join  Duck- 
;own  Association. 

The  Collage  Visitor,  a  Baptist  paper  published  by  Elder  N.  Bowen 
was  reccomiu ended  by  resolution,  and  the  churches,  by  resolution, 
were  advised  to  hold  three  Communion  Sei/c-  per  annum.  The  year 
1871,  had  been  quite  prosperous.  Jesse  Corn  had  moved  into  the 
bounds  adding  one  more  to  the  list  of  ordained  ministers.  Eighty- 
one  persons  had  been  baptized,  some  having  been  baptized  in  every 
church  of  the  Association.  Fifteen  baptisms  in  Alarka,  sixteen  in 
Buffalo,  fourteen  in  Cheoah,  seventeen  in  Cold  Springy  indicated  where 
the  principal  revivals  had  been  held. 

D^ath  iiad  removed  the  note  worthy  Deacon  of  Stecoah,J.  C.  Owen- 
by,  who  died  in  June  at  the  age  of  47  years,  having  lived  a  consistent 
member  of  the  church  19  years.     Nine  others   had    obeved    the    sum- 


(34) 

mons  of  death.  Received  by  letter  34 ;  Dismissed  47 ;  Excluded 
21 ;  Restored  5.  Total  577,  net  gain  94  during  the  yer/r.  Finance 
for  printing  minutes  $14.75,  quite  small  we  see. 

The  dismission  of  Murphy  church  at  the  session  of  1871  took  on  j 
ordained  ministers  from  the  Association,  Jesse  Corn,  but  during  the] 
year  1872,  or  between  the  sessions  of  1871  and  1872,  the  body  had 
gained  three  more  ministers.  J.  M.  Smiley  had  been  ordained  in  < 
July,  and  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill  and  Young  Ammons  had  become  members' 
of  the  body.  The  Indian  church  had  a  minister  by  the  name  of 
Young  Wolf  and  the  ministers  previously  belonging  were,  A.  Am-, 
mons,  R.  M.  Roberts,  James  McBrayer  and  Wiley  Philips. 

Licentiates — G.  W.  Hooper,  B.  L.  Morgan,  J.  R.  Edwards,  John 
Hurst  and  J.  T.  Foster. 

Holly  Spring  and  Forney's  Creek  churches  had  been  organized  and 
Refuge,  a  name  given  to  an  old  church  known  as  Deep  Creek  which 
had  been  revived,  was  also  added  to  the  Association. 

Holly  Spring  had  been  built  03' the  labors  of  R.  M.  Roberts,  by'; 
taking  greater  part  of  Alarka  membership  in  connection  with  a  num-i 
ber  of  new  converts  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kirkland's  Creek  and  a 
few  others.  In  fact,  Alarka  was  the  mother  ol  Holly  Spring,  but  in 
truth  it  must  be  recorded  that  the  life  of  the  daughter  was  the  death 
of  the  mother.  Holly  Spring  was  organized  October  7,  1871  by  Elders 
J.  M.  Smiley  and  R.  M.  Roberts  with  twenty  members  to  which  sev- 
eral more  were  soon  added  by  letter,  etc. 

A  good  pioneer  work  had  been  done  in  the  new  settlement   of   For-] 
ney's  Creek  by  Elder  J.  M.  Smiley  where  he  had  labored    for   perhaps 
three  years  before  his  ordination,  and  in  February  1872,  Elders  A.    A. 
Justice  and  ■).  M.  Smiley  constituted  a  church  which  was  named  For- 
ney's Creek,  the  name  it  still  bears. 

Strange  to  say  that  even  with  the    gain    of    those    three    churches  J 
,  Refuge.  Holly  Spring  and  Forney's  Creek,  there  was  a  fall  off  of  44  irj 
membership  of  the  Association,  the  total  being  533  members. 

There  had  been  but  thirty-rhree  baptized  in  the  whole    Association, 


(35)     ■ 

Panther  Creek  leading  with  the  Dumber  of  *>n  by  baptism.  Cold 
Spring  with  eight  baptisms  comes  next.  Buffalo  and  Tennessee  River 
five  baptisms  each ;  Forney's  Creek  thr^e,  and  Valley  River  two  bap- 
tisms. 

Fifty  had  been  added  to  all  the  churches  by  letter,  seven  restored, 
sixty  dismissed,  ten  excluded  and  five  died 

The  Association  met  in  the  eleventh  anniversary  with  Tennessee 
River  church,  August  30th  1872.  Introductory  by  Elder  W  Philips 
from  Rev.  15;  and  latter  clause  of  third  verse.  A.  Amnions  was 
Moderator  and  John  S.  Smiley,  Clerk. 

Messengers  from  the  churches  were  A,  Amnions,  J.  R.  Edwards,  T. 
L.  Wikle,  Brush  Creek  ;  Corn  Silk,  J.  Cheah,  Long  Bear,  John  Tah- 
quit-chee,  Buffalo ;  G.  W.  Hooper,  J.  Davis,  J.  G.  Brooks,  L.  FaT, 
W.  Davis,  \V.  Carpenter,  Cheoah  ;  J.  M.  Srn*'ey,  J.  S.  Sm"'ey,  L.  L. 
Thomasson,  N.  J.  Howard,  J.  A.  Lequire,  Cold  Spring;  Young  Am- 
mons,  W.  Proctor,  J.  W.  Bradshaw/  W.  Mashburn,  Panther  Creek  ; 
M  A  Crisp,  W  .  D.  Crisp,  J.  L.  Ciisp.  Stecoah  ;  John  Hyde,  David 
Welch,  W.  F.  Whiteside,  P.  Crisp,  Tennessee  River;  W.  Philip-, 
James  McBrayer,  R.  A.  Bradley,  Valley  River.  Letter  sent  from  Valley 
Town.  James  Baird,  A  Watkins,  W.  H.  Cathey,  Refuge;  W,  J. 
Kimsey,  S.  M.  B  Whiteside,  J,  I.  Foster,  Holly  Spring;  John  Hurst 
and  James  Buchanan,  Forney's  Creek. 

Messengers  from  Associations  were  P.  R.  Rickman,  J.  D.  Franks  and 
H.  J.  Beck,  Tuckaseige ;  David  Owl  from  Notley  and  Revs.  T,  A. 
Ballard,  Jesse  Corn   from   Duektown. 

Committees  were  T.  A.  Bell.  J.  M.  McBrayer,  H.  J.  Beck — Arrange- 
ments. 

.1.  Davis,  -I.  L.  Crisp — -Preaching. 

T.  A.  Bell,  -I.  D.  Franks,  W.  Carpenter— Sunday  Schools. 

VV.  Philips,  J.  G.  Brooks.   I.  1.  Foster-  Obituaries  and  Changes. 

W    D.  Crisp  and  W.  Carpenter — To  write  Corresponding  Letters. 

W.  H.  Cathey  and  William  Davis — Finance. 

J.  M.  Smiley,  W.  Philips,  3.  G.  Brooks — Ministers  Names  and  Ad- 
dresses. 


(36) 

The  first  missionary  effort  wab  made  at  this  session.  The  move 
in  this  direction  had  its  origin  in  the  report  ot  the  Sunday  School 
Committee  who  reccommended  the  appointment  of  a  Sunday  School 
missionary  to  preach  in  the  bounds  of  the  Association.  The  choice  of 
a  missionary  fell  on  Elder  A.  Ammons  and  an  Executive  Committee 
was  appointed  to  fix  his  salary  and  settle  with  him  quarterly. 

Notably  among  the  five  deaths  reported  was  sister  Elizabeth  Smiley 
who  died  October  7th  1871,  in  the  75th  year  of  her  age,  having  lived 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  church  for  fifty  years.  She  be- 
longed to  Cold  Spring  at  the  time  of  her  death. 

Sister  Mary  Whitaker,  wife  of  James  Whitaker,  Sr.,  of  Valley  River, 
had  died  March  20th  1872,  at  the  advanced  age  of  93  years  and  9  days, 
having  been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  for  66  years. 

Old  Father  James  Whitaker,  Sr.,  had  fallen  from  the  ranks  of  his 
Valley  River  brethren,  Nov.  2nd  1871,  at  the  advanced  age  of  92 
years  and  seven  months. 

Samuel  Castile  who  by  his  peculiar  doctrine  had  sown  schism  in 
some  churches  was  denounced  as  an  imposter.  Also  John  H.  Mor- 
gan was  noticed  as  a  false  minister.  Castile  will  be  noticed  farther  on 
in  this  work. 


(37) 


Chapter  VII,    1873. 

Sad  day  for  some  of  the  Baptist  churches,  that  Sam  Castile  ever 
pretended  to  preach  in  this  part  of  the  land.  As  stated  in  regard  to 
Lufty  church,  grievous  troubles  had  arisen  by  Castile's  cause.  Some 
people  went  so  far  as  to  believe  CastiJe  a  kind  of  Second  Christ.  The 
evil  seeds  sown  by  him  greatly  injured  Lufty  church  and  two  or  three 
others  in  the  Tuckaseige  Association.  He  made  several  efforts  in  the 
Valley  River,  but  fortunately  for  the  good  cause  of  truth,  none  of  the 
Valley  River  churches,  belonging  to  the  Association  at  the  time,,  were 
led  off  by  Castile. 

The  bold  and  faithful  Allen  Amnions  met  Castile  atCheoah  church 
on  one  occasion  and  so  discomfitted  him  that  he  never  again  visited 
the  bounds  of  the  Association.  Castile's  evil  influence,  extended  by 
his  person,  cover  from  February  or  March,  1872,  to  1874  or  1875. 

Castile  gathered  disciples  and  several  followed  him  from  place  to 
place,  bat  it  is  with  due  credit  to  the  Baptist  ministers  that  it  may 
truly  be  said  that  none  of  them  fell  in  with  Castile,  mighty  as  he  pre- 
tended to  be. 

The  Associational  year,  1873,  was  rather  a  stand  still  in  the  ranks 
of  the  churches.  The  roll  of  Churches  in  the  Association  contained 
thirteen,  but  Alarka  was  dead  and  Forney's  Creek  was  not  represented. 
Valley  Town  church  had  died  and  been  resurrected  and  joined  the 
Association  under  the  new  name  of  Second  Valley  River. 

This  church  after  entertaining  the  Association  well,  asked  for  a  let- 
ter of  dismission  and  joined  the  Ducktown  Association,  thus  leaving 
but  one  church  (Valley  River)  in  Cherokee  Co.  in  our  bounds. 

While  the  churches  had  not  gained    much,     they    had     held    their 


CSS) 

ground.  There  had  bean  ten  baptisms  in  all  the  churches,  five  in 
Cheoah,  one  in  Panther  Creek,  one  in  Valley  River  and  three  in  Sec- 
ond Valle}'  River. 

Forty-six  received  by  letter,  four  restored,  thirty-one  dismissed' 
fifteen  excluded  and  eight  died  during  the  year,  leaving  a  total,  ex- 
clusive of  Forney's  Creek,  of  532,  was  the  rusult  of  the  year. 

The  Missionary,  Elder  A.  Ammons,  had  labored  159  days;  traveled 
725  miles ;  preached  180  sermons;  delivered  55  lectures  on  Sunday 
Schools ;  organized  9  Sunday  Schools,  and  was  paid  $92.45,  leaving 
$66.55  due  him  at  the  end  of  the  year, 

M.  Ghormley  had  moved  into  the  Association  and  joined  Cheoh  as 
an  ordained  minister  from  Tennessee,  making  the  number  of  ordained 
preachers  eight.     The  Licentiates  numbered  seven 

The  meeting  of  the  Twelfth  Session  was  small  in  attendance-. 
From  Brash  Creek — A.  Ammons,  J.  R.  Edwards;  Buffalo — Corn  Silk, 
Te4al-e-toga;  Michael  Ghormley,  G.  W.  Hooper.  W.  Carpenter,  L. 
Farr,  W.  B.  Wiggins— Cheoah  ;  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  J.  M.  Smiley,  N.  J. 
Howard,  A.  H.  Welch,  J.  P,  Panther,  J.  S.  Smiley— Cold  Spring;  J. 
L.  Crisp — Stacoah;  John  Hyde  and  John  M.  Crisp-  Tennessee  River; 
Wiley  Philips,  Ute  Hyatt,  D.  S.  Puett  and  James  Whitaker,  Jr.— 
Valley  River;  W.  J.  Kimsey— Holly  Spring.  Panther  Creek  and 
Deep  Creek,  the  latter  church  formerly  called  Refuge,  were  represented 
bv  letters.  Messengers  from  sister  Associations  were  Rev.  T.  A.  Hig- 
don  from  Ducktown,  and  J.  L.  Haynes  and  J.  C.  Sanderson  from 
Hiwassee. 

The  body  met  with  Second  Valley  church,  September 5.  Introduc- 
tory by  Elder  J.  M.  Smiley  from  Titus  2:14,  A.  Amnions  was  Mod- 
erator and  John  S.  Smiley,  Clerk.  The  committees  were  T.  A.  Hig- 
don,  M.  Ghormley,  Ute  Hyatt — Arrangements.  James  Whitaker,  L. 
Fair,  J.  A.  Kimsey — Preaching.  M.  Ghormly,  W.  Philips,  J.  M. 
Smiley— Sunday  Schools.  G.  W.  Hooper,  A.  H.  Welch — Change-. 
William  Carpenter,  to  write  Corresponding  Letters  to  sister  Associa- 
tions. Wiley  Philips,  N.  N.  Hyatt — Finance.  Correspondence  with 
sister  Associations  was  appointed  as  usual. 


(89) 

At  this  session,  the  body  made  its  first  cry  out  against  Intemper* 
ance  by  appointing  a  Committe  on  Temperance,  Elders  T.  A.  Higdon, 
M,  Ghormley  and  J.  L.  Haynes,  being  the  committee.  Strong  grounds 
were  taken  in  regard  to  abstaining  from  all  appearance  of  evil,  and 
the  churches  advised  to  execute  the  law  of  Jesus  Christ  and  to  keep 
themselves  unspotted  from  the  world.  Of  course,  it  is  not  to  be  un- 
derstood that  the  churches  endorsed  drunkenness  prior  to  this  meet- 
ing, but  the  first  Association  move,  speaking  out  against  the  evil,  was 
made  here. 

A  Query  was  sent  to  the  Association  by  Second  Valley  River 
church  as  follows : 

"Where  is  the  Scriptural  attachment  of  the  word  "Rev*"  to  Minis- 
ters'names?  or,  what  rank  does  it  confer?"  The  committe  on  this, 
viz:  T.  A*  Higdon  and  G.  W.  Hooper,  answered  this  :  "There  is  no 
Scriptural  authority  for  the  word  "Rev."  to  Ministers'  names;  but  it 
is  a  term  expressing  veneration,  and  does  not  improperly  represent  a 
divine  teacher  in  word  and  doctrine." 

Four  White  and  four  Indian  members  died  during  the  year.  Wil- 
liam Crisp,  Si  ,  of  Stecoah  church,  Jacob  Davis,  of  Cheoah,  B.  L. 
Sawyer,  of  Tennessee  River,  and  Elizabeth  Jones,  of  Cold  Spring. 
Peahaps  no  man,  not  a  minister,  was  missed  more  than  brother  Jacob 
Davis,  of  Cheoah,  except  James  Whitaker,  Sr.,  of  Valley  River  church. 

No  mission  work  was  attempted  for  the  ensuing  year  of  1874,  and 
the  body  closed  its  labors  to  meet  the  next  year,  1874.  with  Cold 
Spring  church. 

Nothing  in  the  way  of  finance  had  been  raised  save  a  small  minute 
fund. 

The  Association  met  in  its  thirteenth  annual  session  with  Cola 
Spring  church,  Sept.  4th.  1874.  A  Amnions  preached  the  Introduc- 
tory from  Eph.  4:1-5. 

Messengers  trom  the  churches  were  A.  Ammons,  J.  M.  Thomasson, 
William  Giant.  J.  M.  Edw?ards  and  J.  S,  Tabor  from  Brush  Creek. 
Joshua  Gibson,  William  Carpenter,  John  R.  Davis  and  W.  C.  Morgan 
from  Cheoah.     J.  M.  Smilev.  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  Lu  L.    Thomasson,    A. 


(40) 

W.  Davis,  S.  D.  Davis,  and  E.  M.  Welch  from  Cold  Spring.  Youn 
Amnions,  J.  L.  Proctor,  B.  L.  Morgan  and  William  Proctor  lro 
Panther  Creeks  J.  L.  Crisp  front  Stecoah.  David  Welch,  J.  H.  M 
Crisp  from  Tennessee  River.  James  Whitaker,  W.  Philips  and  Rl 
W.  Adams  from  Valley  River.  R.  M.  Roberts,  W.  H.  Cathey,  an< 
William  Whiteside  from  Holly  Spring.  Wesley  Williams,  T. .  B 
Chambers,  J.  B.  Hoyie  and  W.  B.  Cole  from  Foineys  Creek.  Buffah 
and  Deep  Creek  were  not  represented.  Indian  Creek  church  joinec 
at  this  session  and  its  messengers  were,  W.  J.  Kimsey,  E.  N.  Bumgar 
ner  and  James  Baird. 

Indian  Creek,  a  new  church  in  a  pioneer  settlement  was  built  up 
by  God's  blessing,  by  the  labors  of  Elder  J.  M.  Smiley.  This  churclj 
was  constituted  in  February,  1874,  by  Elders  J.  M.  Smiley  and  Wes 
ley  Williams.  Elder  Williams  had,  but  a  short  time  before  this 
come  into  the' country  and  joined  Forney's  Creek  church.  Indian 
Creek  church  commenced  with  eighteen  members. 

Messengers  from  sister  Associations  were  W.  H.  Truitt  from  Hi  was 
see;  Eider  E.  I).  Brendle,  J.  D.  Franks  and  J.  S.  Conner  from  TueM 
aseige. 

A.  Amnions  was  Moderator  and  J.  M.  Thomasson,  Clerk.  Th 
Committees  were  W  Williams,  E.  D.  Brendle,  W.  H.  Cathey  and  * 
D.  Fran  ks —  A rrangemen ts. 

Joshua  Gibson,  A.  W.  Davis,  and  James  Whitaker — Preaching. 

W.  Philips,  William  Proctor  and  W.  B.  Cole — Sunday  Schools. 

R   M.  Roberts,  T.  B.  Chambers,  R.  W.  Adams — Changes. 

Corresponding  Letter*— W.  Carpenter  and  T.  B.  Chambers. 
I    Finance— J.  M.  Smiley  and  L.  L.  Thomasson. 

There  had  been  but  two  Sunday  schools  in    operation    during   th 
year  and  those  were  in  the  new  churches  of  Forney's   Creek    and    I 
dian  Creek,  each  having  one  school  each  with  three  teachers  and  thirt 

pupils. 

. I.  L.  Proctor,  of  Panther  Creek,  and  J.    L.    Crisp,    <>t    Stecoah,    h 
been  ordained  to  tlv£''ministrv,  which  with   the  coming    in    of    Eld< 
Williams  from  West  Florida  Baptist  Association  increased  the  ordai 


(41) 

ed  ministers  to  nine. 

Alarka  church  had  been  dissolved  by  a  presbytery  during  the  year. 
Brother  Pendleton  Crisp,  of  Tennessee  River;  J.  E.  Chambers  and 
Caroline  Jenkins  and  Elisabeth  Sumpter,  of  Stecoah,  and  Sarah 
Breedlove,  of  Brush  Creek  had  died  and  passed  away  since  last  Asso- 
ciation. 

This  query  from  Valley  River  church,      "Is  there    any    scriptural 
authority  for   churches   to  authorize  a  deacon  to  administer  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism  ;     and  is  such  baptism  valid  ?"  * 
The  query  was  answered,  "No." 

At  this  session,  on  Sunday,  the  first  collection  for  missions  was 
taken  to  be  applied  to  Home  Mission  purposes — collection  $8.00,  and 
a  delegation  collection  of  $2,  making  $10.  This  was  the  first  step  for 
representation  in  the  Western  North  Carolina  Baptist  Convention, 
Elders  A.  Amnions  and  W.  Williams  being  chosen  as  the  first  dele- 
gation from  the  Association  to  that  body.  Elder  John  Amnions,  of 
French  Broad  Baptist  Association  was  present  as  a  transient  minister 
and  rendered  valuable  assistance  on  Sunday  and  Monday.  Thirty-six 
had  keen  baptzed,  19  of  them  being  in  Forney's  Creek  where  a  pre- 
cious rrvival  had  been  held,  18  received  by  letter,  4  restored,  43  dis- 
missed, 22  excluded  $nd  five  died,  leaving  the  total  membership  of 
the  Association  at  451,  exclusive  of  the  churches  of  Buflklo  and  Deep 
Creek  from  which  there  wene.no  reports  to  this  session. 

The  year  1875  was  more  prosperous  than  the  preceding  one.  There 
had  been  forty-eight  baptisms,  Brush  Creek  leading  the  van  in  the 
number  baptized.  Thirteen  baptisms  in  Brush  Creek  church,  ten  in 
Tennessee  River,  seven  in  Holly  Spring,  five  in  Cold  Spring,  three  in 
Forney's  Creek,  six  in  Indian  Creek,  two  in  Stecoah  and  two  in 
Buffalo. 

Sixteen  had  been  excluded  and  five  restored.  There  had  been  con- 
siderable changes  in  the  churches  by  receiving  and  dismissing  by  let- 
ter, but  we  will  not  enter  into  detail  of  these. 

Death  had  removed  eight  members  from  the  shores  of  time.     Sister 


(42) ' 

Mary  Amnions,  of  Panther  Creek,  Jasper  Kirnsey,  Indian  Creek, 
Nancy  Loven,  Stecoah,  Sister  Memette,  Valley  River,  and  William 
Davis,  of  Cheoah,  who  was  a  very  notable  brother.  Three  of  the 
Cherokees  had  died. 

The  ministerial  list  had  been  increased  by  the  ordination  of  three 
ministers :  B.  L.  Morgan,  of  Panther  Creek,  W.  C.  Morgan,  of  Che- 
oah, and  an  Indian  brother,  Armstrong  Cornsilk. 

Elders  R.  M.  Roberts,  of  Holly  Spring,  and  M.  Ghormley,  of  Che- 
oah, were  holding  letters  of  dismission,  for  what  reasons  no*  known. 

Two  new  churches  had  been  organized  during  the  year:  Wesser 
Creek  and  Traveling  Zion,  the  former  with  twenty-four  members  and 
the  latter  with  seventeen.     Wesser   Creek    was   organized  by   Elders 

presbytery,  and   Traveling    Zion    by 

Elders  Crisp  and  Proctor,  so  we  suppose.  This  little  body  was  dis- 
missed and  moved  in  a  body  to  Kansas.  It  was  short  lived  and  its 
pastor,  J*  L.  Proctor,  and  the  other  members  were  scattered,  some 
joining  western  churches  and  some  returning,  in  a  few  years,  to  this 
country  again.  The  most  notable  of  those  who  returned  were  old 
Louis  Medlin  and  wife,  Jane,  William  Proctor  and  son,  J.  L.   Proctor. 

The  total  membership  of  the  Association  for  1875  was  five  hundred 
and  sixty-one,  which  showed  a  solid  advance  in  strength. 

Elder  Wesley  Williams  had  served  as  missionary  of  the  Association 
for  1874  which  was  not  accounted  for  in  the  records  of  that  year.  He 
had  served  in  the  same  capacity  lor  1875  with  the  following  results  : 

Travelled  180  days,  1150  miles,  preached  145  sermons,  received  36 
persons  into  the  church,  aided  in  ordaining  three  Deacons  and  one 
minister,  for  which  he  had  been  paid  $138.  Only  one  Sunday  school 
was  reported  to  the  Association  and  that  was  from  Cold  Spring  church 
with  four  officers  and  teachers  and  110  students.  Valley  River,  as 
was  obtained  from  delegates  had  had  two  Sunday  schools  and  Indian 
('reek  one.  It  was  a  practice  in  some  of  the  Sunday  schools  in  those 
years  to  commit  verses  of  Scripture  to  memory.  The  school  at  Panther 
Creek  <m  a  previous  year  had  committed  over  rive  thousand  verses   in 


•  (43) 

is  way  aud  the  school  at  Cold  Spring  for  1875,  had  committed  8970 
pes. 

The  Association  made  Elder  Williams  their  Missionary  and  a  Sab- 
th  collection  was  taken  for  him  amounting  to  $8.50. 
The  body  adopted  an  able  Circular  Letter  by  Elder  Williams,  on 
e  subject,  "Some  plain  reasons  why  we  are  Missionaries,"  which 
ubtless  added  new  zeal  to  the  cause  in  the  Association. 
Elders  A.  Amnions,  J.  L.  Crisp  and  W.  Williams  were  chosen  as 
essengers  or  delegates  to  the  Western  Baptist  Convention  which 
et  in  Henderson ville,  N.  C,  in  September.  Thursday  before  4th 
ibbath.  Also  one  delegate  was  appointed  from  each  church  in  the 
ssociation. 

The  Association  met  Sept.  2nd.  and  over  its  deliberations  Elder 
jhmons  was  Moderotor  and  L.  M.  Medlin,  Clerk.  Cheoah  was  the 
See  of  meeting 

Elder  Williams  preached  the  Introductory  from  tht  60th  Psalm 
EEph.  4:5. 

The  following  were  the  messengers  from  the  churches: 
A.  Amnions,  J.  M.  Thomasson,  r.  .).  Freeman,  Brush  Creek; 
Rheyahneeta,  Armstrong,  Cornsilk.  Thomas  Bigmeat,  Cornsilk  and 
Bob  Cheah  (Indians)  from  Buffalo;  W.  C.  Morgan,  G.  W.  Hooper, 
*aac  Carringer,  J  G.  Brooks,  William  Carpenter,  J.  M.  Davis,  Louis 
arr,  J.  P  Amnions  from  Cheoah;  J.  M.  Smiley,  7.  T,  Sherrill,  L. 
.  Thomasson,  II.  A.  Cunningham,  Wm.  C.  Hamrick,  from  Cold 
King;  John  Wiggins,  A.  Wiggins,  from  Holly  Spring,  A.  Parris 
lid  James  Beard  from  Indian  Creek;  W.  Williams,  W.  B.  Cole.  A. 
Purris  and  Samuel  Buchanan,  Young  Amnions,  T.  V.  Amnions, 
L.  Morgan,  Wm.  Mashburn,  from  Panther  Creek,  J.  L.  Crisp,  L. 
■  Medlin  from  Stecoah  ;  John  Jenkins,  W.  P.  Whiteside,  B.  J. 
Kozier,  John  Hyd\  Tennessee  River.;  W.  Philips,  R.  A.  Bradley, 
,.  W.  Adams.  J,ames  Whitaker,  Valley  River;  Thomas  Wiggins 
■om  Deep  Cre^k  ;  J.  R.  Edwards,  J.  M.  Edwards,  J.  N.  Truitt,  from 
\  e«ser  Creek  :     J.  L.  Proctor,  William  Proctor,  Louis    Medlin.    Trav- 


(•44) 

elling  Zion  ;     Messengers  from  sister  Associations  :  P.  Gr.  Green,  Jol 
Ammons  and  P.  R.  Rickman  from  Tuckaseige. 

Committees  were  appointed  on  Arrangements,  Preaching,   Sabbai 
Schools,  Changes,  Digest  and  to  write  Corresponding  Letters, 


i 


■(*) 


Chapter  VIII,  1876. 

The  year,  1876,  was  made  sad,  owing  to  the  loss  of  two  of  our  wor- 
thy ministers  by  death.  Elder  Wesley  Williams  died  March  25th,  and 
Elder  J.  L.  Crisp  died  May  1st,  1876.  By  the;death  of  Elder  Williams 
the  place  of  Association  Missionary,  and  the  pastorates  of  Forney's 
Creek,  Cold  Spring  and  Tennessee  River  churches  were  all  made 
vacant.  None  taut  those  who  knew  the  eminent  piety,  devoted  zeal 
and  characteristic  kindness  of  Elder  Crisp,  could  truly  realize  the 
great  loss  of  such  a  man  to  the  Baptists  of  the  Association.  Such  was 
the  feeling  and  esteem  for  Elder  Williams,  by  Cold  Spring  church, 
that  she  at  once  appointed  M.  DeHart  and  John  S,  Smiley  to  act  in 
concert  with  a  committee  of  Forney's  Creek  church  in  getting  up'  a 
sketch  of  his  life  which  was  promptly  done. 

The  Association  appointed  a  Committee  at  this  session  to  sketch 
the  life  of  brother  John  K  Crisp,  which  was  done  and  reported  and 
printed  in  the  minutes  in  1877. 

Sisters  Milsaps  and  Kirkland,  of  Cheoah,  three  brethren  of  Buffalo, 
(the  Indian  church,)  James  M.  Buchanan,  of  Forney's  Creek,  and  the 
devoted  wife  of  Elder  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  Sister  Caroline  Sherrill,  had 
all  left  the  church  militant  and  were  sleeping  in  the  dust.  There  had 
been  baptisms,  more  or  less,  in  six  of  the  churches,  Brush  Creek 
Cheoah,  Cold  Spring,  Forney's  Creek,  Stecoah  and  Wesser  Creek 
numbering  in  all,  fifty-three.  Of  the  number  baptized,  forty-one 
were  in  Cold. Spring  where  the  most  glorious  series  of  revivals  had 
been  during  the  months  of  July  and  August, 

Thirty-eight  had  been  received  by  lettor,  thirty-four  dismissed 
nine  excluded  and  twelve  restored  to  lellowship  in   all   the   churchy' 


(46) 

with  a  total  membership,  exclusive  of  Deep  Creek  and  Holly  Spring 
churches  which  were  not  represented  at  this  session,  of  532. 

There  had  been  very  flourishing  Sunday  Schools  during  the  Spring 
and  Summer  ol  this  year.  A  Sunday  school  at  Cold  Spring  had  ten 
officers  and  teachers  and  150  persons  on  its  roll,  among  whom  there 
had  been  thirty  conversions  to  God.  Forney's  Creek  had  a  school 
with  six  officers  and  teachers  and  72  pupils.  Tennessee  River  had 
two  good  schools  with  100  pupils,  and  two  other  Sunday  schools 
made  up  the  list  for  the  year,  being  less  than  half  the  churches  en- 
gaged in  this  good  work. 

The  Missionary,  Elder  W.  Williams,  had  only  labored  six  months 
of  the  year  at  his  death  with  the  following  results : 

Labored  161  days;  preached  55  sermons;  traveled  478  miles;  paid 
$52.40.  J.  M.  Smiley  and  R.  M.  Roberts  were  delegates  to  the  West- 
ern Convention  of  North  Carolina 

No  attempt  to  do  anything  for  the  Foreign  Mission  work  ha*  yet 
been. 

The  Fifteenth  Anniversary  met  with  Forney's  Creek  church  Thurs- 
day, August  31st.  Elder  Alien  Ammons  preached  the  Introductory 
from  1  Cor.  15:58.  A.  Ammons  was  Moderator  and  .lames  M.  Thom- 
asson,  Clerk. 

The  first  effort  to  preserve  and  get  up  the  history  of  the  Valley 
River  Association  was  made  at  this  session  by  electing  John  S.  Smiley 
the  first  Historian,  by  whom  the  work  was  commenced  in  January, 
1877. 

Valuable  aid  and  encouragement  was  rendered  at  this  session  by 
the  only  Corresponding  messengers  Elders  E.  D.  Brendle,  Wilson  En- 
sley,  -).  I j.  Buchanan,  P.  G.  Green  and  brethren  H.  -J.  Heck  and  Philip 
Dills  from  Tuckaselge  Baptist  Association. 

Elders  A.  Amnions  and  M.  Ghormiey  had  been  appointed  mission- 
aries in  the  bounds  of  the  Association,  but  brother  Ghormiey  did  not 
labor  any  in  the  work.  Elder  P.  G.  Green  fills  the  position  and  by 
iiim  and  Elder  Ammons  some  of  the  most  noted  revivals  had  heen 
h .-hi  during  the  year, 


(47) 

One  hundred  and  sixty-two  had  been  baptized  in  eight  of  the 
churches:  seven  in  Brush  Creek,  five  in  Buffalo,  fifty-seven  in  Che- 
oah,  twenty  in  Cold  Spring,  two  in  Holly  Spring,  eleven  in  Indian 
Creek,  fifty-three  in  Stecoah  and  seven  in  Valby  River.  Gocl  had 
most  signally  blessed  the  labors  of  the  missionaries  in  connection  with 
the  labors  of  the  several  pastors  and  a  great  ingathering  of  precious 
souls  followed,  exceeding  anything  that  had  preceded  in  the  Associa- 
tion. 

Forty  received  by  letter,  sixty-seven  dismissed,  seventeen  excluded, 
thirteen  restored  and  eleven  died  in  all  the  churches,  leaving  a  total 
of  701. 

The  hopeful  promise  and  growing  strength  inspired  the  Association 
with  new  zeal  and  determination  at  the  session  of  1877,  by  which  it 
was  led  to  undertake  the  establishment  of  an  Association  High  School 
which  was  subsequently  located  and  put  into  operation  at  Stecoah 
church. 

Committees  on  Education  and  Periodicals  were  raised  to  report  on 
those  important  questions  which  was  the  first  move  of  the  kind  in 
the  Association. 

The  report  ot  the  Committee  on  education  gave  rise  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  High  School,  and  the  committee  on  Periodicals  re- 
commended the  Biblical  Recordei  and  Kind  Words  as  there  was  no 
Baptist  paper  in  the  Western  N.  C.  Convention  at  the  time. 

John  S.  Smiley  and  J.  M.  Salts  were  marie  delegates  to  the  West- 
ern N.  C.  Convention. 

John  S.  Smiley  reported  and  was  continued  Historian. 

The  Sunday  school  work  had  gone  backward,  as  but  thee  schools 
had  been  in  operation  in  the  bounds,  and  only  the  one  at  Cold  Sprint 
church  with  ten  officers  and  teachers  and  101  students  was  truly  re- 
ported. 

Elders  James  Salts  from  Sevier  county  Tennessee,  and  F.  G.  Green 
of  Tuckaseige  Association,  had   moved   into    the    bounds.     Elder    M. 
Ghormley  had  tali  en  a  letter  from    his    church    and    moved  into    the 


(48) 

bounds  of  Ducktown  Association,  and  so  the  ordained    Ministers'    lis 
stood  at  10  at  the  end  of  this  year. 

The  death  list  stood  thus :  Sisters  Nancy  A.  Johnson  and  H.  A 
Crisp,  of  Stecoah,  David  Welch,  J.  J.  Calhoun,  Elizabeth  Cable 
Hanah  Crawford,  of  Tennessee  River,  W  P.  Stanberry,  of  Cold  Spring 
Tom  Bignett,  Caroline  Cornsilk,  Caroline  Weosisk  and  Noka  of  Buffalo 

The  following  query  from  Valley  River  church  gave  rise  to  the  ap 
pointment  of  a  Committee  on  Temperance  : 

"Is  it  right  tor  members  of  Baptist  churches  to  engage  in  the  sale 
of  spirituous  liquors  of  any  kind  for  profit  ?"  This  was  answered  with 
an  emphatic  "No."  Correspondence  was  appointed  to  neighboring 
sister  Associations  as  usual. 

Able  and  worthy  corresponding  messengers,  E.  D.  Brendle.  B.  N. 
Queen,  Phillip  Dills,  M.  L.  Bradley  and  W.  F.  Potts  were  present 
from  Tuckaseige  Association.  The  delegates  of  Forney's  Creek  church 
were  not  received  as  she   was  out  of  order. 

The  sixteenth  session  of  the  Association  was  held  with  ^Stecoah 
church,  Graham  county,  N.  C,  commencing  Thursday,  Aug.  30th, 
1878. 

J.  M.  Salts  pieached  the  Introductory  from  Rev.  17:14.  A.  Amnions 
was  continued  Moderator  and  the  active,  young  brother,  Thomas  A. 
Carpenter,  was  for  the  first  time,  chosen  Clerk.  Tuckaseige  church 
having  thirteen  members,  organizer!  during  the  year  by  P.  G.  Green 
and  others,  joined  the  body  at  this  session. 

The  Association  met  in  the  seventeenth  session  with  Valley  River 
church  Aug.  '29th,  1878.  Opening  sermon  by  Inkier  A.  Aminons  from 
Math.  16:18. 

A.  Amnions  was  Moderator  and  W.  D.  Crisp,  Clerk,  thisbeing  broth- 
er Crisp's  first  term. 

Twelve  of  the  churches  were  represented  by  Messengers,  Deep  Creek 
being  a  blank. 

Forney's  Creek  whieli  was  out  of  order  at  the  last  session  had  re- 
covered trow  her  troubles  and  her  Messengers,  W.  B.  Cole  and  T.  B. 
Chambers,  are  in  this  session. 


The  little  churchy  Weeser  Creek,  come?*  in  under  the  name  of  Xan- 
tahala. 

There  had  been  two  missionaries  in  the  field  in  fche  bounds  ol  the 
Association.  We  are  unable  to  give  any  account  of  results,  except 
from  Elder  P.  G.  Green.  He  had  labored  46  day s>  traveled  120  miles, 
baptized  36,  witnessed  >52  conversions,  preached  31  sermons  and  made 
20  exhortations. 

Elder  C.  M.  Greene  was  now  a  member  of  the  Association,  being  a 
messenger  from  Cheoah  church.  J\  R.  Edwards^  of  Brush  Greek,  and 
J.  P.  Edwards,  of  Tuskeegee,  had  been  ordained  to  the  ministry. 

Sabbath  schools  had  been  on  the  increase  in- the  bounclsv  but  sev- 
eral of  the  churches  had  not  participated  in  the  work, 

The  baptisms  and  other  statistics  of  the  churches  cannot  be  given 
for  lack  ol  the  table  for  this  year. 

The  world  of  immortality  had  taken  possession  of  eleven  members 
during  the  year.  Isaac  Rowen,  Elisabeth  Rodgers,  and  Mary  Milsaps, 
of  Cheoah,  Sarah  Buchanan.  Margaret  Buchanan,  and  Sarah  Hagle, 
of  Forney's  Creek,  Martin  Whiteside,  of  Holly  Spring,  Melviney 
Whiteside  and  Nancy  Marcus,  of  Tennessee  River,  Cam  ine  tody,  of 
Steeoah,  Deacon  W:  H.  Cathey,  of  ('old  Spring,  wer^sleeping  the  death 
sleep. 

The  Education  Board,  A.  Amnions,  William  Carpenter,  James 
Beard  and  W,  II,  Cathey.  appointed  the  last  year  reported  progress  on 
a  school  house  for  the  Association  High  School  at  Steeoah  church. 

John  S.  Smiley,  Historian,  sent  in  his  resignation  and  T,  A.  Car- 
penter was  appointed  to  succeed  him.  A  query  wax  sent  to  the  Asso- 
ciation by  Valley  River  church  as  follow*  ;  "What  ought  to  be  done 
with  a  Deacon  who  neither  possesses  the  qualifications,  nor  practices 
ithe  duties,  oi  a  Deacon  as  laid  down  in  the  new  Testament?''  The 
substance  of  the  answer  to  this  qaaery  was,  admonish  him  to  read 
Paul's  letters  to  Timothy  and  Titus,  and  if  such  Deacons  will  not  try 
to  inform  themselves  in  regard  to  their  duties,,  let  them  be  put  out  of 
office  and  others  appointed  in  ^heir  places. 


A  Committee  was  appointed  at  this  session  to  separate  the  Oonsti- J 
tution  and  Rules  of  Order,  viz  :  C.  Ml  Green,  W.  D.  Crisp  and  T.  A,  I 
Carpenter,  and  by  resolution  Mill's  Parliamentary  Practice  was  adop-«j 
ted  as  our  Rules  of  order  on  points  of  parliamentary  usage  for  ourj 
future  guidance,  thus  obviating  the  necessity  for  these  items  under  f 
what  had  hitherto  been  called  Rules  of  Decorum. 

Union  Districts  were  instructed  to  appoint  Union  Meetings  at   suit- 
able places,  and  to  get  up  subjects  of  importance    for   the   benefit   of 
young  ministers.     Brother  T.  C.  Bry son,  from    Tuckaseige,    Elder    E 
Kimsey,  J.  H.  Johnsou,  .).  A.  Kimsey  and    Willis    Parker.    Hiwassee 
were  Corresponding  Messengers  present  at  this  session. 

The  church  roll  numbered  fifteen  with  the  addition  of  Red  Marble, 
a  new  church  which  had  been  organized  during  the  yeai  at  Red  Mar- 
ble Gap  in  Cherokee  county,  which  presented  a  petition  by  R.  1VJ. 
Wright  and  was  admitted  into  the  Association  The  body  was  now 
fast  gaining  strength  and  influence  among  the  sisterhood  of  Baptist 
Associations.  Brush  Creek,  had  baptized  twenty,  Cheoah  three,  Cold  I 
Spring  four,  Holly  Spring  fourteen,  Indian  Creek  five,.  Panther  Creefcl 
two,  Tennessee  River  five,  Valley  River  sixteen,  Tuskeegeo  two  and 
Buffalo  one.  making  sixty-two  in  all.  Thirty-six  were  received  by 
letter,  sixty-eight  dismissed,  twenty-six  excluded  and  nine  restored 
and  eight  died  during  the  year.  Precious  revivals  had  been  held  in 
Brush  Creek,  Holly  Spring  and  Valley  River,  judging  by  their  mem- 
bers baptized. 

The  total  membership  of  the  churches  was  797,  exclusive  of  Deep 
Creek  and  Red  Marble  whose  reports  were  not  sent  up  to  the  Associa- 
tion. 

John  P.  Panther,  of  Cold  Spring,  had  been  ordained  to  the  ministry 
in  July.  Three  Missionaries,  viz :  A.  Amnions,  P.  G.  Green  and 
Charles  M.  Green  had  been  in  the  field.  Amnions  had  baptized  sev- 
enteen, preached  15  sermons  and  traveled  sixty  miles.  P.  G.  Greeu 
had  preached  thirty  sermons,  made  twenty  exhortations,  witnessed 
forty-seven  conversions  and  baptized  twenty-four,, traveled  100  miles, 
labored  fifty  days  and  collected  $14.50,     ('.  M.  Green  had   labored    fif- 


teen  days.  William  Bradshaw,  of  Forne}r's  Creek,  Esther  Welch,  of 
Brush  Creek,  Mary  Collett  and  Jesse  Taylor,  of  Valley  River,  Caro- 
line Penley,  of  Stecoah,  and  Young  Wolf  and  Obediah,  of  Buffalo. 
made  up  the  list  of  the  dead  for  the  year.  Brother  Jesse  Taylor  was 
94  years  of  age  when  he  died  and  had  been  a  consistent  member  of 
;  the  church  for  65  years. 

The  High  School  of  the  Association  had  been  in  a  very  satisfactory 
session  from  the  4th  of  February  till  the  25th  of  June,  averaging  over 
29  daily  attendants.  The  teaching  had  been  done  by  brother  W.  L. 
Dean  and  V.  E.  Grant,  of  Macon  county,  the  former  as  principal  at  a 
salary  of  $25  per  month,  and  the  latter  assistant  a*  a  salary  of  $20per 
month.  Such  was  the  interest  taken  in  the  school  undertaking  that 
Elder  A..  .Amnions  was  put  into  the  field  to  raise  funds  for  its  support. 

The  Biblical  Recorder,  Raleigh,  Baptist,  Memphis,  and  Kind  Words, 
were  all  reccommended  to  the  people  as  good  religious  papers. 

The  Historian,  T.  A.  Carpenter,  had  nothing  to  report  to  the  body 
only  the  failure  of  the  churches  to  co-operate  with  him  in  getting  up 
facts  of  history  of  the  Association. 

The  Sunday  school  work  had  languished,  and  but  little  had  been 
done  in  this  work.  A  Sunday  collection  of  $7.66  for  missions  was 
taken  for  the  Association  missionaries.  An  effort  was  made  by  Elder 
C.  M.  Green  to  have  the  Association  to  organize  a  Sunday  School  Con- 
vention which  move  was  set  for  the  November  following.  The  Asso- 
ciation met  in  its  eighteenth  session  with  Brush  Creek  church  Oct.  4th. 
C.  M.  Green  preached  the  Introductory  from  Math.  11  :  11,  A  Am- 
nions was  Moderator  and  W.  D.  Crisp,  Clerk.  Corresponding  Messen- 
gers from  Tuckaseige  Assoociation  at  this  session  .were  Elders  E.  P. 
Brendle,  A.  A.  Justice.  .1.  S.  Woodard,  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill  and  brethren 
W.  L.  Dean,  T.  C.  Bryson,  S.  M.  Welch,  Philip  Dills.  D.  S.  Dills,  John 
Amnions,  J.  W  •  Rickman,  J.  1)  Franks,  R,  A.  Hall,  M.  L.  Riekman 
and  others. 


W) 


Chapter  IX. -1880. 

From  some  cause  not  fully  known  to  the  writer.  Deep  Creek  no^j 
disappears  from  the  list  of  churches,  but  Yellow  Creek,  a  new  church, 
presented  a  letter  and  petition  and  was  received,  still  keeping  up  the 
list  of  churches  to  fifteen  as  follows: 

Brush  Creek,  J.  8.  Woodward,  pastor;  Cheoah,  W.  C.  Morgan,  pas- 
tor;  Cold  Spring,  pastor  blank ;  Forney's  Creek,  no  pastor ;  Holly 
Spring,  J.  M.  Smiley,  pastor;    Indian   Creek,    no    pastor;  Nantahala,j 

B.  L.  Morgan,  pastor;  Panther  Creek,  Y.  Ammons,  pastor;  Red  Mar-? 

ca: 


ble,  W.  Philips,  pastor;  Stecoah,  P.  G.  Green,  pastor;  Tennessee 
River,  no  pastor ;  Tuskeega,  P.  G.  Green  and  J.  P.  Edwards,  pastors: 
Valley  River,  C.  M.  Green,  pastor:  Yellow  Creek,  John  Canaut,  pas- 
tor, 

The  note  worthy  old  church.  Valley*  River,  asked  for  a  letter  of j ! 
dismission  at  this  session  to  join  the  Duck  town"  Association  and  so  by  i 
its  loss  to  this  body  the  church  roll  was  reduced  to  fourteen  churches.  | 

At  this  same  session,    following  the   dismission    of    Valley    Riverl 
church,  the  Association  had  no  further   reason    to    retain    the   name,  | 
Valley  River,  by  which  it  had  been  known    since    1869,    and    conse- 
quently, changed  the  name  to  Tennessee  River,  as   a   more   appropri- 
ate one  to  locate  its  situation, 

By  the  dismission  of  Valley  River,  the  territory  of  tke  Association 
was  now  eotifined  to  Swain  and  Graham  counties,  N,  C,  with  the  sin- 
gle exception  of  Red  Marble  church,  which  was  in  Cherokee  county. 

The  list  of  ordained  ministers  had  been  reduced,  though  Elder  I.  T. 
S,  Sherrili  had  again  become  a  member  of  the  body  by  joining  Indian 
Oreete  eburch. 


(IS)     .: 

Elder  Allen  Ammon?,  who  had  bo  faithfully  served  the  Association 
as  Moderator  in  regular  succession,  for  ten  sessions,  had  died  July  2nd, 
1880.  The  loss  of  Elder  Amnions  was  deeply  felt  throughout  the 
Association.  While  we  mourned  the  loss  of  Ammons,  not-  without 
hope  of  our  loss  being  his  eternal  gain,  we  were  chagrined  at  the  dis- 
graceful conduct  of  Elder  R.  M.  Roberts,  of  Tennessee  River  church. 
Roberts,  with  a  letter  of  dismission  from  said  church,  left  his  worthy 
wife,  Nettie,  and  eloped   from    the    country    with    another    woman. 

Tennessee  River  went  through  the  act  of  excluding  Roberts,  hut 
the  church  was  powerless  to  recover  his  church  letter,  so  after  an  bom-. 
©rable  membership  of  about  15  or  so  years  in  the  Baptist  church,  and 
a  useful  career  ot  over  ten  rears  in  the  ministry,  Elder  Roberts  step- 
ped down  to  degredation  and  ruin,  shamefully  staining  his  life  by. 
dishonoring  his  high  ministerial  rank  and  the  precious  cause  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Like  a  sudden  and  treacherous  outburst  of  a  vol- 
cano may  surprise  and  startle  the  inhabitants  of  its  environs,  so  did 
the  man  Roberts  shock  his  brethren  and  sisters  in  Zion.  We  weep 
as  we  pen  this  event  and  can  only  say.  "God  be  merciiul  to  the  sin- 
ner, for  he  is  in  thy  just  hands  to  be  rewarded  according  to -his  works." 

The  worthy  Elder  W.  Philips  was  dismissed  with  Valley  River 
church,  leaving  the  list  of  ordained  ministers,  up  to  this  year,  as  fol- 
lows: 

W.O.  Morgan.  G.  W.  Hooper,  the  latter  who  had  been  ordained  in 
Cheoah  church  during  the  year,  J.  R.  Edwards,  J.  P.  Edwards,  J.  P. 
Panther,  J.  M.  Smiley,  B.  L.  Morgan,  I.  T.  S  SJherrill,  Y.  Ammons, 
P.  G.  Green  and  J.  M.  Salts.  Only  five  Sunday  schools  had  been  in 
operation  during  the  year.  There  had  been  sixty-six  baptized  in  ten 
of  the  churches,  Yellow  Creek  having  twenty-one,  the  greatest  number 
of  any  Thirty  had  been  excluded  and  seven  restored  and  ten  died 
in  all  the  churches.  The  aged,  sweet  singer,  William  R.  Simonds,  of 
Brush  Creek,  was  among  the  number  of  the  dead.  He  was  about  75 
years  old  and  had  taught  the  young  to  sing  the  sweet  songs  of  Zion 
tor  52  years  as  a  teacher  of  vocal  music. 

William  Owens  and  Margaret  Gibby,  of  Cold    Spring,     Mary   and 


(64)     • 

Dinah  Truitt,  of  Valley  River,  Mary  Calhoun,  of  Tuskeega,  and  three 
Indians,  of  Buffalo,  had  all  died. 

One  very  striking  feature  of  the  year,  1880,  was  the  work  of  the 
Missionary,  Elder  P.  G.  Green,  who  had  labored  115  days,  traveled 
500  miles,  preached  106  sermons,  made  28  exhortations,  witnessed  66 
professions,  baptized  53  persons,  received  8  by  letter,  attended  the 
ordination  of  4  Deacons,  attended  11  prayer  meetings,  orgaaized  2 
Sunday  schools  and  only  received  $15.50  for  all  this  work. 

Over  $20  was  raised  among  the  delegates  at  this  meeting  to  help 
brother  Green. 

At  this  session,  was  finally  amended  the  Constitution,  and  it  ap- 
peared in  the  minutes  under  the  heading  "Constitution  of  the 
Tennessee  River  Baptist  Association."  It  is  a  very  short  instru- 
ment, containing  only  ten  articles  which  we  will  give  in  'vl  Miscella- 
neous Supplement" 

The  Rules  of  Decorum,  or  Rules  of  Order  had  been  previously  com- 
mitted to  the  system  of  Mell's  Parliamentary  Practice,  thus  obviating 
the  necessity  for  so  many  Decorum  rules  attached  to  theConstitution. 

The  Association  met  in  its  nineteenth  Anniversary  with  Tennessee 
River  church,  Thursday,  Sept.  2nd. 

Elder  William  C.  Morgan  preached  the  Introductory  from  Rom. 
1:16. 

Elder  P.  G.  Green  was  Moderator  and  W.  D.  Crisp,  Clerk. 

As  the  new  Constitution  provided  for  the  offices  of  Treasurer  and 
Historian,  those  places  were  filled  by  choosing  Joel  L.  Crisp,  for  the 
former  and  T.  A.  Carpenter  for  the  latter.     , 

Elder  J.  S.  Woodard,  G.  W.  Landersmilk  and  J.  A.  Franks  were 
Messengers  from  Tuckaseige  Association  and  rendered  valuable  aid  to 
the  Tennessee  River  Association.  So  ends  the  events  of  the  vear 
1880.  * 

Notwithstanding  the  dismission  of  Valley  River  church,  the  Asso- 
ciation, in  1881,  was  rapidly  approaching  a  higher  degree  of  intelli- 
gence, strength  and  development.     The  twentieth    Session    met    with 


(56) 

'old  Spring  church,  Sept.  1st.  The  Introductory  sermon  was  preaeh- 
d  by  Elder  I  T.  S.  Sherrill  from  Math.  18 :  10. 

J.  M.  Smiley  was  Moderator  and  W.  D.  Crisp,  Clerk.  Nothing  is 
hown  touching  the  Treasurer  and  Historian. 

Tallulah,  Maple  Spring  and  Hazel  Creek,  three  new  churches  had 
>een  constituted,  and  presented  letters  and  messengers  and  were  re- 
eived  into  the  Association  at  this  session.  Messengers  from  Tncka- 
eige  Association  as  follows :  Elder  John  S.  smiley,  A.  A.  Justice, 
.  D.  Franks,  J.  A.  Franks,  D.  K.  Collins,  J.  M.  Welch  and  A.  W. 
'armer.  A  beautiful  sketch  of  the  life  of  Elder  A.  Amnions  was 
ead  and  adopted  and  will  appear  in  Biographical  Department. 

A  lament  was  made  in  the  education  report  because  the  High 
School  at  Stecoah  was  doing  nothing  at  present,  but  advice  was  given 
Br  people  to  patronize  Judson  College.  Strong  grounds  w7ere  taken 
n  favor  of  patronizing  the  Bapiid  Tde.H-oye,  an  able  Baptist  paper 
mblished  by  Elder  N.  Bowen  in  Henderson ville,  N.  C,  and  also  the 
rgan  of  the  Western  N.  C.  Baptist  Convention. 

The  Mission  work  had  been  carried  on  part  of  the  time  the  past 
fear  by  Elder  W.  C.  Morgan  with  results  as  follows  : 

Days  labored  57;  miles  travelled  387;  sermons  preached  45;  exhor- 
ations  7;  conversions  witnessed  33;  baptized  16  persons;  assisted  in 
>rdaining  3  ministers  and  4  deacons;  constituted  1  church  and  4 
>unday*Schools,*and  had  been  paid  $21.25. 

There  had  been  but  five  Bundav  schools  in  the  bounds. 

It  was  at  this  session  that  the  first  efforts  were  made  toward  aiding 
Foreign  Missions  This  was  at  the  instance  of  Elder  P.  G.  Green. 
Sabbath  collection  was  ordeied  to  be  applied  to  this  purpose. 
The  collection  was  $8.34,  Elders  P.  G.  Green  and  1.  T.  S.  Sherrill 
vere  chosen  delegates  to  the  Wes+ern  N.  C.  Baptist  Convention. 

There  had  been  baptisms  in  ten  of  the  churches  numbering  in  all 
2.  Tt  seemed  that  revivals  had  been  held  in  Cheoah  and  Tahlulah 
hurches  as  18  had  been  baptized  in  the  former  and  16  in  the  latter. 
'  Stecoah  also  had  baptized  17  persons.     Nineteen  had  been  excluded 


(»)   ' 

and  five  restored.  Ten  had  died  and  the  total,  exclusive  of  Buffalo 
and  Nantahala  was  705. 

The  devoted  wife  of  Elder  J.  P.  Panther,  Charlotte  E,  James  Buch- 
anan, of  Forney's  Creek,  and  some  others,  had  died. 

The  reports  of  the  various  Committees  and  the  speeches  following 
those  of  Mission  Education,  Periodicals  etc.  indicated  a  forward 
movement. 


(57) 


Chapter  X,  1882-'83. 

The  Association  met  in  the  twenty-first  annual  session  with  Cheoah 
Baptist  church  Sept.  8th.  Introductory  sermon  by  James  Salts  from 
Isaiah  2  :  2.  Elder  J.  S.  Woodard  was  Moderator  and  W.  1).  Crisp, 
Clerk. 

Elder  J  M.  Smiley  had  been  in  the  field  as  Association  Missionary 
with  the  following  results :  Labored  141  days,  traveled  700  miles, 
preached  158  sermons,  baptized  89  persons,  witnessed  49  conversions, 
delivered  11  exhortations,  assisted  in  organizing  one  church,  organ- 
ized three  Sunday  schools,  aided  in  ordaining  one  minister  and  three 
deacons  and  was  paid  for  this  service  $14.05.  Added  to  this  mission 
fund  was  $8  more  for  Elder  Smiley \s  work. 

The  Association  High  School  which  had  been  dormant  for  two  or 
three  years  was  to  be  revived  again  with  the  location  to  be  made  at 
Cold  Spring,  out  the  effort  iailed  and  nothing  was  accomplished  in 
the  High  School  line. 

The  Sunday  school  work  for  the  year  1882  had  been  mere  progress- 
ive than  it  had  in  any  preceding  year,  as  there  had  been  sixteen 
successful  schools  in  the  bounds. 

The  cause  of  religious  periodicals  was  urged  by  the  committee  on 
that  subject,  and  the  Blue  Ridge  Bnpfisf,  published  by  Elders  D.  B. 
Nelson  and  J.  E.  Carter,  at  $1  a  year  in  Hendersonville,  N.  C,  was 
.recommended,  as  well  as  the  Biblical  Recorder. 

Members  hod  died  during  the  year  to  the  number  of  fourteen  : 
William  Dellart  and  Mary  J  Freeman,  of  Maple  Spring,  Elizabeth 
Eranklin,  of  Holly  Spring,  Jason  Sherrill,  of  Cheoah,  and  9  more 
whose  names  are  not  given, 


Three  new  churches  had  beeu  organized,  viz  :  Santeetlah,  Double 
Branch,  and  Bone  Valley,  which  churches  joined  the  Association  at 
this  session,  increasing  the  list  of  churches  to  twenty. 

Elder  J.  L.  Proctor  who  had  previously  gone  west  with  Travelling 
Zion  church  had  returned  to  this  country  and  was  a  member  of  Hazel 
Oreek  church. 

Fourteen  of  the  churches  had  had  one  hundred  and  twelve  baptisms, 
a  greater  number  being  in  Hazel  Creek  than  any  of  the  others,  but 
several  of  the  churches  had  been  blessed  with  good  ingatherings  in 
this  way.  Sixty-one  were  received  by  letter,  sixty-seven  dismissed, 
excluded  thirteen,  and  restored  sixteen  and  the  total  membership  was 
now  850. 

The  first  Foreign  Mission  aid  was  given  at  the  session  of  1882,  being 
$8,  which  was  ordered  through  the  Treasury  of  The  Western  Bapt  st 
Convention  to  the  Foreign  Board  at  Richmond,  Va,,  with  instructions 
to  be  paid  to  Rev.  M.  T.  Yeats  in  China, 

Queries  were  answered  as  follows  : 

"Is  it  right  fur  a  pastor  to  advise  his  church  to  appoint  a  committee 
to  labor  with  a  sister  church  ?"  Answer— 'He  has  the  right,"  "Has 
that  church  the  right  to  declare  a  non-fell  nvship  against  that  church 
which  would  not  hear  the  committee?"  Answer — "In  our  judgment 
she  has  the  right." 

The  Association  met  with  Forney's  Creek  church  August  25,  1888. 
Introductory  by  Elder  P.  (I.  Green  from  Mark  18:35.  J.  S.  Woodaid 
was  Moderator, and  John  S.  Smiley,  Clerk.  This  year  was  one  of 
marked  prosperity.  Two  churches  were  added  to  the  body  at  this 
session,  Charleston  by  letter  from  Tuekaseige  Association,  and  Mount 
Zion,  a  new  church  organized  April  28.  1883,  by  Elders  J.  E.  Morgan, 
J.  M.  Smiley,  -I.  P.  Panther  and  P>.  L.  Morgan,  with  twenty  members 
from  Cold  Spring  church. 

Charleston  church  had  its  origin  chiefly  from  Holly  Spring,  but 
some  of  its  constituent  members  were  from  Cold  Spring  church  and 
perhaps  a  few  from  the  old  Beep  Creek  members.  This  church  was 
organized   in  the  old  Court  House,  Dec.  1877,  by  Elder  E  1).    Brendle, 


(*9) 

W.  H.  Conner  and  J.  M.  Smiley,  and  joined   the   Tuckaseige   Baptist 
Association  in  the  session  held  at ,  August,  1878. 

By  his  membership  being  with  this  church  since  the  spring  of  1.878, 
the  writer  had  been  identified  with  Tuckaseige  for  five  years. 

The  writer  had  been  ordained  to  the  ministry,  Dec.  18,  1881,  in 
Charleston  church  by  Elders  E.  D.  Brendle  A.  A.  Justice,  W.  H.  Con- 
ner, J.  M.  Smiley,  and  J.  M.  Salts  as  presbytery. 

By  Charleston  church  becoming  a  member  of  Tennessee  River  As- 
sociation, the  writer  and  J.  M.  Smiley  were  added  to  the  list  ®f.  or- 
dained ministers  which  now  numbered  fourteen,  viz:  J.  M.  Smiley 
I.  S.  Smiley,  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  J.  E.  Morgan,  J.  P.  Panther,  J.  R.  Ed- 
wards, J.  S.  Woodard,  Young  Amnions,  B,  L.  Morgan,  J  P.  Edwards, 
P.  G.  Green.  W.  C.  Morgan,  G.  W.  Hooper,  and  F.  M.   Morgan. 

Elder  J.  L.  Proctor  had  been  excluded  from  Hazel  Creek  church  on 
charge  of  adultery,  in  .inly,  1888.  The  proof  of  Proctor's  guilt  was 
that  he  left  his  lawful  wife  and  left  the  country  with  another  woman; 
thus  another  one  of  the  most  shameful  and  sickening  acts  of  disgrace 
was  perpetrated  by  a  man  holding  the  high  rank  of  a  minister  of 
Ihrist, 

The  Licentiates  were -I.  M.  Earles,  Jno.  Womack,   J.    A.    Amnion-, 
\  S.  DeHart,  J.  M.  Hickman,  H.  B.  Grant  and  -Usse   Hall. 

Elder  John  F.  Morgan,  chosen  missionary  at  Gheoah,  in  1882,  had 
occupied  the  field  in  the  Association  with  an  unusual  degree  ot  suc- 
cess. Morgan  had  .labored  225  days,  traveled  520  miles,  preached 
300  sermons,  made  65  exhortations,  witnessed  188  conversions,  bap- 
tized 167  persons,  aided  in  organizing  one  church  and  ordaining  four 
deacons  and  had  been  paid  $149.25. 

There  had  been  181  baptisms  in  sixteen  of  the  churches.  Forney's 
Creek  church  had  baptized  53  persons,  Cold  Spring  84,  Mt.  Zion  1.8, 
Cheoah  14,  and  Double  Branch  14.  In  fact  there  had  been  gracious 
revivals  in  a  majority  of  the  churches.  Seventy-three  had  been  re- 
reived  by  letter,  seventy- three  dismissed,  twenty-three  excluded,  re- 
stated 15  and  11  had  died  in  all  the  churches  with  the  great  total  in 
the  Association  of  eleven  hundred   members    which  was    a    net    gain 


(90) 

during  the  year  of  250  members.  Som«  internal  troubles  in  Tallin 
lah  church,  caused,  we  suppose,  by  the  preaching  of  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Walker,  resulted  in  that  church's  absence  from  the  session  of 
1883,  by  which  45  members  are  not  reported  in  our  aggregate.  Tal- 
lulah  finally  went  down  and  is  never  again  represented  in  the  coun- 
cils of  our  Association. 

The  Sunday  School  work  had  been  successful  and  the  importance 
of  this  cause  was  steadily  and  certainly  taking  hold  of  the  churches, 
as  there  had  been  twenty  Sunday  schools  in  operation  during  the 
year. 

The  cause  of  Education,  Temperance  and  Missions  received  a  deep- 
er impulse  at  this  session,  and  very  warm  committee  reports  on  these 
several  subjects  followed  by  enthusiastic  speeches  on  this  occasion  led 
the* brethren  to  believe  themselves  under  obligations  to  do  more  for 
the  increase  oi  religious  knowledge  in  this  Association,  and  to  labor 
more  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel  in  other  lands.  Brother  W.  M.  Tay- 
lor had  by  request  written  a  very  forcible  Circular  Letter  for  the  Asso- 
ciation on  the  Duties  of  Churches  to  their  Ministers,  which  we  think 
had  a  good  effect  on  its  readers  as  it  was  adopted  and  printed  in  the 
minutes  at  this  session.  Brother  J.  C.  Sorrells  was  elected  Historian 
of  the  Association  and  some  sketches  of  Elder  A.  Amnion's  pastoral 
labors  with  Cowee  church  turned  over  to  Brother  Sorrells,  but  as  he 
tailed  to  make  any  future  report  this  sketch  was  lost  and  nothing 
else  accomplished  by  Brother  Sorrells  toward  getting  up  the  Associa- 
tion hisitory. 

A  stronger  co-operation  with  the  Western  N.  ('.  Convention  was 
determined  upon,  and  as  some  funds  for  missions  had  been  raised, 
Elders  •).  S.  Woadard,  J.  K.  Morgan  and  brother  Joel  L.  Crisp  were 
delegated  to  said.  Convention. 

Elders  C,  P.  Weston,  of  Maine,  A.  A.  Justice,  W,  W,  Keid  and  P. 
Ii.  RickmaU)  of  Tuckaseige,  S.  F.  Payne,  of  New  Found,  and  J,  G. 
Pulliani,  oi  1'unooine  County  Associations  Wert;  present  and  partici- 
pated in  the  work  o!  the  Association.  Correspondence  was  kept  up 
with  Tuckaseige  and  other  Associations. 


W) 


Chapter  XI. 

Every  church  in  Tennessee  River  Association,  except  Tallulah.  was 
represented.  This  sesssion  was  held  with  Charleston  church,  com- 
mencing on  Thursday,  Aug.  22,  1884.  J.  S.  Woodard  preached  the 
Introductory  from  Phil.  2:14.  J.  S.  Woodard  was  chosen  Moderator 
and  John  Sj  Smiley,  Clerk. 

The  year  1884  was  also  a  year  of  prosperity  in  the  Association. 
Alarka,  a  new  church  with  members  from  Cold  Spring,  had  been  or- 
ganized April  26,  1884,  by  Elders  J.  E.  Morgan,  J.  M.  Smiley  and  J. 
S.  Smiley  as  'presbytery.  And  Tellico,  also  a  new  church  with  mem- 
bers from  Burningtown  church  and  others  in    which    was   the    noted 

Elder  A.  A.  Justice,  was  organised  by  Elder   Justice   and 

August  2.  1884.     These  two  presented  letters  and  petitions  and  were 
added  to  the  Association,  making  the  number  ol  churches  twenty-four. 

The  Association  was  favored  with  th<-  presence  of  Elders  E.  D. 
Brendle.  W.  H.  Conner,  A.  H.  Sims  and  J.  H.  Queen  and  brethren 
J.  D.  Franks,  H.  J,  Beck,  P.  C.  Wild,  G.  E.  Davis,  J.  B.  Gibson,  W. 
H.  Queen,  T.  C.  Bryson,  J.  E.  Hurst  and  H.  D.  Welch,  of  Tuckaseige 
Association,  and  J.  G.  Pulliam,  of  Buncombe  county,  and  T.  C.  Buch- 
anan and  M.  L.  Rickman,  of  Central  Association,  N.  C,  and  Elder 
James  Salts,  of  Little  River  Association,  Tennessee,  the  latter  named 
brother,  having  moved  out  of  our  bounds. 

A  good  Sunday  collection  for  missions  was  made  amounting  to 
1240,  twelve  dollars  of  which  was  paid  to  Elder  J.  E.Morgan,  Associa- 
te n  Missionary,  and  twelve  dollars  forwarded  to  Richmond  for  Mexi- 
can missions.  «* 

Elder  J.  E.  Morgan  had  been  kept  in  the  field  as  Association   Mis 


(*2) 

sionary,  but  he  he  had  aot  been  so  successful  as  he  had  the  previous 
year.  He  had  labored  225  days,  traveled  275  miles,  preached  200 
sermons,  witnessed  71  con versiorffi,  baptized  66  persons,  aided  in 
organizing  two  churches;  amount  received  for  said  labor  $100.  There 
had  been  baptisms  in  fifteen  of  the  churches*  twenty-eight  in  Tus- 
keega,  23  in  Htecoah,  14  in  Tennessee  River  and  10  in  Bone  Valley, 
these  churches  having  the  largest  ingatherings  in  this  way.  Forty- 
two  had  been  excluded,  twenty-six  restored  and  fourteen  died  during 
the  year  in  ail  the  churches.     The  total  membership  was  now  1267. 

Elder  Young  Ammons,  of  Panther  Creek  church,  wag  numbered 
with  the  dead  and  thirteen  others  whose  names  are  not  given,  were 
gone  from  earth. 

All  the  churches  had  been  b.essed  with  faithful  pastors  and  to  the 
labors  of  these  in  connection  with  Elder  Morgan,  the  Missionary,  the 
Lord  had  given  the  increase  and  a  healthy  growth  of  the   Association. 

The  minute  fund  was  $20.05,  and  all  receipts  and  disbursements 
which  had  found  their  way  into  the  Treasury  were  $44.45,  according 
to  the  report  of  the  Treasurer,  Joel  U  Crisp. 

Brother  J.  C.  Sorrells  had  served  the  Western  Convention  as  Sun- 
day School  Missionary  and  Colporteur  in  the  bounds,  but  we  received 
no  report  of  his  work. 

J.  P.  Panther  and  J.  M,  Earls  were  appointed  delegates  to  the 
Western  Baptist  Convention  by  this  session.  The  churches  nearly 
all  reported  the  salaries  of  their  pastors  which  run  from 7  to  fifty-eight 
dollars. 

The  twenty  fourth  annual  session  met  with  Double  Branch  church, 
Aug.  20,  1885.  Introductory  by  Elder  •).  P.  Panther,  Neh.4:6.  Elder 
A.  A.  Justice  was  Moderator  and  W.  1).  Crisp,  Clerk. 

Every  church  was  represented  but  Red  Marble. 

Three  new  churches  were  received  into  the  Association,  viz:  Pleas- 
ant Grove,  being  a  part  of  Forney's  Creek,  was  constituted  November 
22,  1884,  by  Elder«  J,  M.  Smiley  and  John  E.  Morgan, 

Welch  Cove,  constituted  October  25,  1384,  by  Elders  J.    M.  Smiley 


■re*)    ; 

and  John  Pickney  Panther ;  Chamber's  Creek  organized  Feb.  21st, 
1885,  by  Elders  J.  M.  Smiley  and  L.  M.  Medlin,  with  members 
from  Forneys  Creek  and  Tennessee  River.  This  year  four  ministers 
were  ordained,  Elder  J.  M.  Earles,  of  Cold  Spring,  L.  M.  Medlin,  of 
Bone  Valley,  J.  A.  Ammons,  of  Maple  Spring,  and  C,  T.  Calhoun,  of 
Double  Branch. 

By  the  foregoing,  the  list  of  churches  was  run  up  to  twenty-seven 
and  the  list  >f  ordained  ministers  increased  to  eighteen. 

Elder  J.  P.  Panther  had  occupied  the  field  as  Association  Mission* 
ary  with  th«  following  results:  labored  250  days,  travelled  1,500  miles, 
preached  275  sermons,  made  200  exhortations,  witnessed  28  conver- 
sions, baptized  25.  organized  three  Sunday  Schools  and  received  on 
the  field  $80.  f 

The  bod y  now  attempted  greater  efforts  in  the  mission  work  by 
creating  an  Association  Mission  Board  which  consisted  of  Elders  VV\ 
C.  Morgan,  L.  M.  Medlin  and  brethren  J.  W.  Breedlove,  J.  C.  Sorrells 
and  J.  H.  Sentell  and  $138  were  pledged  toward  the  mission  work  for 
the  next  year.  There  had  been  but  forty-three  baptisms  in  ten  of 
the  churches  :  14  in  Cold  Spring,  7  in  Cheoah,  9  in  Panther  Creek, 
the  churches  having  th  -  greater  number  baptized.  The  changes  by 
letter  had  been  greater  than  usual  and  the  exc'usiotis  were  51  and  the 
restorations  only  four.  Sixteen  had  died  and  the  total  membership 
in  all  the  churches  outside  of  Buffalo,  Red  Marble  and  Tallulah  was 
1169. 

Numbered  among  the  sixteen  deaths  were  Elder  J.  P,  Edwards,  ol 
Tuskeegee,  William  Carpenter,  of  Cheoah,  and  Samuel  Monteith,  ol 
Forney's  Creek.  While  these  three  named  were  not  more  pr  cious  in 
the  sight  of  the  Lord  than  the  other  thirteen  who  had  died,  they 
were  more  greatly  missed  and  mourned  by  the  Association  because  ol 
their  notoriety  and  rank  in  the  church. 

Most  of  the  churches  had  been  engaged  in  the  noble  Christian  work 
of  Sunday  Schools. 

Only  thirteen  of  the  churches  reported  their  pastor's  salaries  which 
ranged  from  $1  to  $100. 


Elder  W.W.  Reid,  of  Tuck aseige  Association,  and  J.  E.  Carter, 
editor,  of  the  Blue  Ridge  Baptist,  were  present  and  participated  in  the 
session. 

Foreign  missions,  Temperance,  and  Education  and  Periodicals  re- 
ceived enthusiastic  encouragement  and  all  the  Sunday  collection  was 
divided  equally  hetween  Mexican  and  Chinese  missions.  Committees 
were  appointed  to  prepare  sketches  of  Elders  Young  Ammons  and  J. 
P.  Edwards,  deceased,  but.no  report  was  ever  made. 


(«) 


Chapter  XII,  1886. 

The  period  of  organising  churches  in  the  territory  or  even  the  neces- 
sity for  such  was  now  at  an  end  and  a  very  prudent  step  had  been 
taken  by  Tennessee  River  and  Double  Branch  in  the  work  of  consoli- 
dation by  which  Double  Branch  is  merged  into  her  mother  organiza- 
tion, Tennessee  River  church,  making  one  strong  church  instead  j.of 
two  week  ones.  * 

The  work  of  ordaining  ministers  had  out-stripped  any  preceding 
year  in  our  history. 

Will  Pruitt,  of  Cheoah  ;  H.  B.  Took,  of  Bone  Valley  ;  R.  H.  Crisp, 
of  Tennessee  River;  W.  A.  Marcus,  of  Tuskeega,  and  J.  H.  Sentell,  ot 
Double  Branch  or  Ten  n  esse?  River  churches  had  all  been  ordained 
and  Kider  G.  W.  Orr  rnd  J.  H.  Queen  had  moved  into  the  Associa- 
tion, thus  swelling  the  list  of  ordained  ministers  to  twenty-three. 

The  Mission  Board  of  the  Association  had  had  Elder  J.  E.  Morgan 
in  the  field  as  missionary,  but  he  had  labored  only  forty-four  days 
and  been  paid  $14.  Fifty-three  days  labor  had  been  rendered  in  the 
mission  work  by  Elders  J.  M.  Earles,  J.  P.  Panther.  L.  M.  Medlin  and 
T.  S.  DeHart.  Connected  with  this  work  were  46  conversions  and 
22  baptisms.  It  seemed  that  the  new7  and  untried  machinerv  of  a 
Mission' Bon rd  had  not  met  with  the  neeessary  co-operation  by  the 
churches  ami  pastors,  notwithstanding  the  worthy  service  of  such  in- 
strument. 

We  think,  however,  that  much  of  the  failure  ol  the  mission  work 
in  the  Association  for  1886,  was  attributable  to  Elder  Morgan's  ser- 
vices in  sections  of  country  out  of  the  bounds.     Brush  Creek,  Nanta- 


hala  and  Tallulah  were  not  represented  by  messengers,  but  the  total 
membership  at  the  end  of  the  year  was  1260,  exclusive  of  those  three 
churches  and  if  those  churches  were  taken  into  the  count  there  were 
at  least  1830  members  in  the  Association.  One  hundred  and  ten  had 
been  baptized  in  the  bounds,  Alarka  1,  Buffalo  2,  Cheoah  17,  Cold 
Spring  3,  Holly  Spring  10,  Hazel  Creek  1,  Indian  Creek  19,  Mt.  Zion 
8,  Panther  Creek  5,  Santeetlah  11,  Tuskeega  3?  Tennessee  River  11, 
and  Welch  Cove  19. 

Dismissed  by  letter,  93  and  received  by  letter  81.  Excluded  forty 
and  restored  seven. 

Seventeen  had  died  during  the  year,  among  whom  were  Elder 
I.  T.  S.  Sherrill  and  John  Kilby,  'of  Indian  Creek;  Jane  Dellart,  of 
Cold  Spring  ;  Matilda  Hooper,  of  Cheoah,  and  sister  Elenor  Ammons, 
of  Panther  Creek  ;  these  were  much  missed  from  the  earthly  sanctuary 
on  account  of  their  ages  and  long  service  in  the  Master's  kingdom  in 
the  world. 

Elder  P.  C  Green  who  had  labored  so  successfully  as  Missionary 
and  pastor  in  the  bounds  of  the  Association  for  a  period  of  nine  years 
had  been  excluded  from  Stecoah  church  on  a  charge  equivalent  to 
fornication,  and,  as  a  consequence,  the  Association  loses  a  most  popu- 
lar preacher  whose  work  shown  a  good  degree  of  success;  but  oh  !  how 
mortified  were  the  brethren  and  sisters  generally  to  see  the  sudden 
downfall  of  such  a  man  stained  with  immortal  death  to  his  Christian 
and  ministerial  character  and  usefulness! 

The  Association  met  with  PantherCreek church,  Aug.  22nd.  Elder 
L.  M.  Medlin  preached  the  Introductory  lrom  Neh.  6:3.  Eider  A.  A. 
Justice  was  Moderator,  L.  M.  Medlin,  Clerk;  .1.  M.  Earls,  Treasurer, 
and  John  S.  Smiley,  Historian,  A  standing  order  oii  business  was 
made  at  this  session  by  which  the  committee  of  Arrangements  were 
dispensed  with.     The  order  will  be  found  in  ihe  appendix. 

The  Association  met  in  its  twenty-sixth  session  with  Indian  Creek 
church,  Thursday,  August  25th,  1887.  Elder  A.  A.  Justice  preached 
the  Introductory  from  Math.  17:20.  Elder  John  M.  Earls  presided  and 
\V.  1>.  Crisp  Clerked. 


(«7) 

A  smaller  delegation  than  usual  from  the  churches,  being  eleven  or 
twelve  churches  without  messengers,  but  much  territory  and  efficient 
strength  were  added  at  this  session  bv  the  joining  of  Lufty  church 
by  letter  from  Tuckaseige  Association  through  her  messengers.  W.  H. 
ijueen  and  H.  K.  Gass. 

W.  H.  Queen  was  chosen  Treasurer  and  Jno  S.  Smiley  was  contin- 
ued Historian. 

The  Association  Mission  Board  had  had  Elder  A.  A.  Justice  in   the 
field  for  one  hundred  and  twenty  days  during  the  year,  and    had   col- 
lected and  paid  him  $86.45,  which  was  supplemented  by  the   Associa 
tion  among  the  messengers  to  $100,    the   amount   stipulated    by    the 
Board,  but  what  the  result  of  Elder  Justice's  labors  was  is  not  given. 

There  had  been  seventy-two  baptisms  in  nine  of  the  churcru^  rep- 
resented, but  so  inaccurate  and  missing  are  the  statistics  given  on  ac- 
count oi  so  many  of  the  churches  not  reporting  and  with  the  statis- 
tics credited  to  the  wrong  church,  that  we  shall  not  attempt  any 
more  on  that  line  for  the  year  1887. 

The  Association  again  took  its  mission  work  into  hand  and  Elder 
J.  A.  Amnions  was  elected  for  the  next  >year  and  be  given  the  field  for 
his  salary,  by  which  act  the  Association  Board  of  Missions  was  prac- 
tical I  v  discontinued. 

Elder  J.  M.  Earls,  the  retiring  Tjeasurer,  reported  $8  received  by 
Km  last  year  and  the  same  disbursed  to  Elder  Justice. 

Missions,  Temperance  and  all  kinds  of  denominal  work,  such  as  are 
gen  rally  committed  to  Asssociations,  received  warm  endorsement 
by  the  body,  and  on  Sunday  $12.00  for  Foreign  Missions  were  collect- 
ed. By  receipts  for  mission  purposes  at  the  rate  of  $5  per  seat,  eight 
messengers  or  delegates  were  appointed  to  go  to  the  W.  N..  B.  Conven- 
tion, viz  :  J.  H.  Sentell,  L.  M.  Medlin,  J.  S.  Woodard,  J.  S.  Smiley, 
S.  B.  Ginson,  W.  D.  Crisp,  T.  M   Buchanan  and  J.  H.  Queen. 

Elder  John  E.  Morgan,  the  successful  Evangelist,  had  moved  out  of 
the  Association  and  became  a  member  of  Burn ingtown  church  in 
Tuckaseige  Association. 


Elders  W.  W.  Reid  and  G.  W.  Crawford,  of  Tuckaseige  Association, 
were  present  as  Corresponding  Messengers.  Corsesponding  Messen- 
gers were  appointed  to  sister  Associations  by  a  motion,  authorizing 
any  member  of  this  Associotion  who  may  be  present  at  others  to  re- 
port as  Messengers.  The  method  of  writing  Corresponding  letters  had 
been  discontinued  for  several  years,  which  is  an  error  in  practice  with- 
out a  doubt  jrom  the  good  reason  that  a  Christian  Salutation  from  a 
sister  body  or  church  is  in  accord  with  Apostolic  usage.  These  Corre- 
sponding letters  are  official  certificates  of  the  standing  ot  those  ap- 
pointed to  bear  such  fraternal  greetings  and  relationship  and  the 
writing  of  such  letters  should  be  resumed  by  all  Associations. ' 

By  a  vote,  Cold  Spring  church  was  chosen  as  a  site  for  the  revival 
of  the  Association  High  School  and  a  Board  of  School  Trustees,  to  wit. 
H.  G.  Beck,  J.  A.  Franks.  S.  B.  Gibson,  J.  S.  Woodard,  J.  S.  Smiley, 
J.  A.  Amnions,  L.  M.  Medlin  and  J.  A.  Buchanan,  of  Swain  county, 
and  W.  D.  Crisp,  W.  M.  Taylor  and  W.  C.  Morgan,  of  Graham  county, 
were  appointed  to  endeavor  to  put  the  School  in  operation. 

Several  oi  the  churches  were  not  represented  at  the  last  session,  ow- 
ing, it  was  said,  to  a  severe  epidemic  in  Bryson  City  at  the  time  of 
the  Association,  but  when  the  body  met  at  Stecoah  church,  August 
28,  1888,  there  were  about  100  messengers  from  the  churches  and  all 
the  churches  were  represented  but  Brush  ('reek,  Nantahala,  Red  Mar- 
ble and  Hazel  Creek. 

A  disagreement  or  dissatisfaction  on  the  part  of  the  members  for- 
merly known  as  Double  Branch,  led  to  a  dissolution  of  the  act  of  con- 
solidation with  Tennessee  River  church,  by  which  Double  Branch 
took  up  its  former  organization  ami  record  and  enrolls  as  a  church. 

Red  Marble,  so  long  without  representation  in  the  Association,  had 
been  somewhat  revived,  as  we  have  been  informed,  and  inconsistently 
lett  the  Association  without  leave,  and  a*  a  consequence  was  dropped 
from  the  church  roll. 

Pleasant  Grove  church,  by  mutual  agreement  with  its  mother, 
Fornev's  Creek,  had  been  meiged  into  one  body  by  the  old  name,  and 
so  Pleasant  Grove  disappeared  from  the  church  roll  or' the  Association. 


m 

Lone  Oak  on  Cheoah,  Bethabara  on  Lufty,  Fakview,  formerly  of 
Double  Branch,  and  Land's  Creek  had  all  been  constituted  during  the 
year  and  were  admitted  into  the  Association  at  this  session. 

Bethabara  was  organized  Oct  22nd,  1887,  by  Elders  J.  M.  Smiley 
and  J.  H.  Queen,  of  members  from  Shoal  Creek  and  Indian  Creek 
churches.     Welch  Cove  church  had  changed  its  name  to  Eagle  Creek. 

The  Association  year  1888  had  been  a  vear  of  prosperity,  as  there 
Jiad  been  140  baptisms  in  twenty-one  -nf  the  churches,  Charleston 
church  under  the  successful  preaching  of  its  new  pastor,  Rev.  G.  H. 
Church,  having  baptized  twenty,  the  largest  numberin  any  one  of  the 
churches. 

Thirty-three  had  been  excluded  and  eleven  restored  in  all  the 
churches.  Receiving,and  dismissing  by  letter  had  gone  on  very  ex* 
tensively,  and  sixteen  members  had  passed  into  the  Spirit  world,  and 
the  total  membership  was  1,558. 

Elder  G.  Ji.  Qfrurch  had  moved  into  the  bounds  irom  Transylvania 
County  Association.  Elder  O.  P.  Williams  had  been  ordained,  ihus 
greatly  strengthening  the  ministry  of  Tennessee  River  Association. 

The  Trustees  appointed  at  last  session  to  start  a  school  had  employ 
ed  Prof.  J.  S  Hill,  ot  Elk  Park,  Mitchell  county,  and  had  run  a  sue- 
cessful  session  of  school  1or  70  days,  commencing  Jan.  23.  The  school 
enrolled  95  pupils  and  averaged  4f>.  M^  Hill's  salary  was  $50  a 
month. 

V.  M.  (  aler  had  also  been  emploved  to  run  another  session  at  a 
salary  of  $85  per  -month.  Mr.  Qalers  school  eovered  a  period  of  about 
7  months  in  connection  with  the  free  public  school  which  finally 
closed  the  school  effort  for  the  time  being.  Both  schools  resulted  in 
good  to  our  people. 

The  Sunday  school  work  had  been  kept  up,  there  being  twenty 
schools  in  the  bounds.  A  Ministers' Council  had  beenWganized  dur- 
ing the  session  at  Stecoah,  but  the  organization  was  noftkept  up.  For 
a  number  of  years  the  Union  Meetings  had  been  assembling  and 
transacting  business  by  their  own  appointments  from  fifth  Sunday  to 


(70) 

fifth  Sunday  under  the  name,  "Tennessee  River  Union, "  but  without 
reports  to  the  Association,  so  we  know  very  little  of  their  history. 

It  was  very  gratifying  to  note  the  zealous  mission,  temperance  and 
education  spirit  of  the  session  1888.  Good  collections  were  made  for 
missions  and  education,  amounting  in  pledges  and  cash  to  $110.04. 

The  Association  mission  was  suspended  at  Jiis  session  and  a  Col- 
porteur appointed  to  travel  and  sell  books  and  furnish  Scriptures  and 
religions  literature  to  the  destitute, — Elder  T.  S.  DeHart  being  chosen 
for  the  place. 

The  twenty -seven  tb  anniversary  was  presided  over  by  Elder  J.  A. 
Ammons,  L.  M.  Medlin  was  Clerk,  .).  S.  Smiley  Historian  and  W.  11, 
Queen  was  Treasurer. 

Elder  J.  A.  Amnions  iiad  occupied  the  Held  as  Missionary  and  had 
labored  139  days;  travelled  900  miles;  preached  126  sermons;  made  23 
exhortations;  witnessed  41  conversions;  baptized  28  persons;  was  paid 
on  the  tie  d,  $123.     Elder  G.  H.' Church  preached  the  Iiftroduetory. 

The  twenty-eighth  session  met  with  Lufty  church  Thursday,  Aug. 
22.  John  S.  S.niley  preached  the  Introductory  from  1st  Pet.  2:5.  A. 
A.  Justice  was  Moderator,  E.  ('.  Monteith,  Clerk,  \V.  H.  Queen,  Treas- 
urer, and  .John  S.  Smiley,  Historian.  Ten  of  the  thirty  churches, 
composing  the  Association,  were  not  represented  at  this  session,  but  a 
more  spsriled  and  enjoyable  session  had  never  been,  Love  seemed  to 
rule  the  session  and  the  subjects  engaging  the  work  of  the  Associa- 
tion received  enthusiastic  efforts  by  ail. 

Messengers  returned  to  their  homes  praising  the  good  Association 
which  they  had  attended. 

Elders  A.  H.  Sims,  M,  L  Hickman  and  T.  C.  Buchanan  were  pres- 
ent as  Corresponding  Messengers  from  Tuekase  ge  Association  and 
gave  valuable  aid  in  the  deliberations  of  this  session. 

Elder  M.-Rodgtrs  had  been  ordained  sonic  time  previous  to  this 
session  and  witrjthe  addition  of  his  name  the  list  oi  ordained  minis- 
ters now  numhefed  twenty-three. 

The  Baptist  Orphan-Age  of  the  Raptisf  state   Convention    of  North 


(71) 

Carolina,  received  attention  at  this  meeting  for  the  first  time  and  $8.50 
was  raised  to  aid  the  Orphanage. 

Foreign  Missions  received  warm  attention  and  over  $80  in  pledges 
and  cash  were  raised  tor  said  purpose. 

Elder  T.  S.  DeHart  had  occupied  the  field  as  Colporteur  71  days; 
travelled  1,010  miles;  preached  36  sermons;  made  34  addresses;  made 
181  religious  visits;  attended  30  prayer  meetings;  witnessed  82  profess- 
ions and  20  baptisms;  sold  21  Bibles  and  57  Testaments;  sold  96  other 
books;  value  of  boots  sold,  $63.15;  organized  6  Sunday  schools  and 
collected  on  the  field  on  salary  $8.00. 

J.  S.  Smiley.  J.  S.  Wocdard,  J.  H.  Queen,  Wm.  Pruitt,  J.  M.  Smi- 
ley, A.  A.  Justice,  H.  J.  Heck  and  VV.  D.  Crisp  were  made  Messengers 
to  the  Western  North  Carolina  Baptist.  Convention, 

The  School  at  Cold  Spring  had  been  run  seven  and  a  half  months 
under  Mr.  V.  M.  Caler  as  teacher,  but  as  there  was  no  suitable  house 
and  the  co-operation-  being  discouraging  no  attempt  was  made  to  run 
another  session.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  build  a  house  and 
about  $400  previously  subscribed  toward  that  purpose,  but  from  vari- 
ous dibCouragements#iothing  was  done,  and  so  there  the  Association 
School  rests,  in  quiet  repose. 

Seventy  persons  had  been  baptized  during  the  yeai  in  fourteen  of 
the  churches.  J.  H.  Sen  tell  had  been  ordained  to  the  ministry.' 
Sweet  Water  church  had  been  constituted  and  joined  the  Association, 

Sister  Elizabeth  Crisp",  of  Stecoah,  who  had  been  a  devoted  member 
of  the  church  for  forty  years  had  died  July.  20,  Gemima  Aldredge,  of 
Panther  Creek,  Catharine  Woody,  ot  Forney's  Creek,  H.  V.  Guilders, 
of  Bethabara*  and  some  others  not  named,  had  all  died  during  the 
year. 

Elder  G.  H.  Church  had  been  prevented  from  attending  tins  session 
Ion  account  of  the  death  of  his  daughter,  Laura. 

One  singular  feature  of  the  session  of  1889  was  that,  no  church  had 
invited  the  Association  for  the  next  year,  and  as  a  consequence  some 
•of  the  delegations  had  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  inviting  the 
next  session  to  meet  with  their  church,  and  the  lot  tell  t<>  the  Cold 
Spring  delegation,  which  invitation  was  accepted  by  the  Association. 

The  Treasurer's  report  for  1889,  shows  $14.90  for  foreign  missions; 
$7.10  for  ministerial  education. 

The  minute  turd  was  ortlv  118. 85. 


m) 


Chapter  XI11,  1890. 

The  twenty-ninth  Anniversary  of  the  Assoolation  met  with  (old 
Spring  chnrch  August  21st,  1890  with  ninety-nine  messengers  from 
twenty-four  of  her  twenty-eight  churches.  Eagle  Creek  and  Land's 
Creek  disappeared  irom  the  church  roll  as  being  considered  dead 
churches.  The  Introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  J.  A. 
Amnions,  the  Alternate  of  Elder  William  Pruitt,  from  Math.  28:19,  20. 

Elder  J.  S.  Woodard  was  Moderator,  E.  C.  Monteith,  Clerk,  S.  B. 
Gibson,  Treasurer,  and  J  no.  S;  Smiley,  Historian. 

This  session  was  one  of  love  and  harmony  throughout  and  was 
noted  for  the  punctuality  oi  the  messengers  and  congregations. 

All  the  subjects  engaging  the  attention  of  the  Association  received 
patient  and  faithful  consideration,  so  much  so  that  it  brought  forth 
the  eulogies  of  Rev.  D.  B.  Nelson,  Editor  of  the  Ashevilh»  Baptist,  as 
he  wa*  present  as  a  visitor  and  witnessed  the  deliberations  of  the  body. 

Round  Hill  church,  newly  constituted  of  members  from  Mt.  Zion 
church,  by  a  presbytery  of  Elders  J.  M.  Smiley  and  T.  S.  Delia  it, 
was  admitted  at  this  session. 

There  had  been  twenty-seven  Sunday  schools,  all  the  churches  hav- 
ing Sunday  schools  except  Cheoah,  Alarka,  Hazel  Creek,  Round  Hill 
and  Sauleetlah. 

There  had  been  eighty-seven  baptized  in  seventeen  of  the  churches, 
those  having  the  largest  numbers  bapMzed  being  Lone  Oak  with  fif- 
teen, and  Steooah  with  twenty.  All  the  ehurehes  had  been  well  sup- 
plied with  pastors  except  Alarka,  which  is  standing  as  dead  or  asleep. 

There  had  been  seventeen  deaths  during  the  year,  viz:  Laura  N. 
Church,  Kvyson  City;  Daniel  and  Elijah  (Jibbv,    Cold    Spring;   J.    A. 


(73) 

Ihilders,  Bethabara*  Mary  Smith,  Tellico;  Alfred  Crisp,  Stecoah;  Mary 
Jrisp,,  N.  J.  Bradshaw  and  Cass-ie  Hogue,  Panther  Creek;  Laura  La- 
icy,  Bone  Valley;  James  B.  Tabor,  Blush  Creek;  Sarah  Skeeska,  Eliz- 
abeth Axe,  Buffalo;  Nancy  Bumgarner  and  M.  J.  Stevenson,  Indian 
Jreek;  Israel  Carver  and  Lavada  Mathis,  Lufty;  A  valine  Carringer, 
>anteetlah;  Win.  Anthony,  Chamber's  Creek. 

Samuel  Jordan,  of  Cheoah.  had  been  ordained  t©  the  ministry. 
Cider  a.  B.  Thomas  had  labored  in  Graham  county  eight  months  as 
nissionary  under  the  appointment  of  the  Mission  Board  of  the  W.  N. 
/.  C.  with  success.  The  Tennessee  River  Union  was  dissolved  and 
wo  unions  made,  viz  .  Swam  County  Union  an d;  Graham  County 
Jnion  to  which  the  Mission  work  was  committed. 

The  thirtieth  Anniversary  of  the  Association  met  with  Cheoah 
hurch.  As  Elder  G.  11.  Church,  the  appointee  to  preach  the  Intr<- 
luctory,  was  not  present,  the  Alternate,  Elder  J.  H.  Queen,  performed 
he  task  from  Rom.  1:16.  Elder  J.  S.  VVoodard  was  continued  Moder- 
itor  and  E.  C.  Monteith,  Clerk.  W.  H.  Queen  was  Treasurer  and 
(no  S.  Smiley,  Historian. 

The  year  1891  had  been  a  prosperous  one,  and  the  lift'  and  zeal  of 
;he  churches  brought  out  a  fair  list  of  messengers  tothissession  of  the 
Association.*  Twenty-five  out  of  the  thirty  churches  were  represented, 
ind  one  new  church  had  'been  organized,  by  the  name  Antioch  out  of 
members  from  Indian  Creek -church.  Thisyoungchurch  was  represented 
jy  brethren  .lames  Clme  and  W.  M.Clark.  Elders  G.  H.  Church  and 
T.  .J.  Brock  were  the  presbytery 'that  constituted  Antioch.  * 

At  this  session,  Rev.  John  Amirioiis,  Corresponding  Secretary  of 
,he  Convention  and  Rev.  J.  A.  Speignt,  editor  of  the  Asheville  Bap- 
bt,  were  present  and  took  an  -active  part  in  the  deliberations.  There 
aad  been  121  persons  baptized  in  18  of  the  churches.  Brush  Creek. 
Maple  Spring,  Indian  Creek.  Lufty  and  Sweet  Water,  had  precious  in- 
gatherings to  a  greater  extent  than  the  others* 

Death  had  taken  nineteen  members  from  all  the  churches.  Among 
Btase  gone  were  Deacon  .!.  M.  Thomasson,  who  died  in  March  1891  a 


(74) 

the  advanced  age  of  about  85  years,  and  Elder  J.  M.  Smiley  at  the 
age  of  over  70  years  died  July  12th.  1891.  Elders  L.  M.  Medlin  and 
J.  P.  Panther  had  moved  out  of  the  bounds  of  the  Association  ;  the 
first  named  had  settled  in  Jackson  county,  N   C 

A  standstill  in  the  growth  of  the  Sunday  School  cause  were  the  re- 
sults of  the  year.  Twenty -two  schools,  numbering  1280  pupils  had 
been  in  operation,  a  fall  oil  of  5  schools  from  the  previous  year. 

The  Association  had  doue  nothing  in  the  line  of  Home  Missions 
but  continued  its  friendly  co-operation  with  the  mission  work  of  the 
world. 

The  session  for  1892,  met  with  Forney's  Creek  church,  Aug.  25th. 
and  was  in  session  four  days.  The  usual  committees  were  appointed 
after  the  organization  of  the  session  was  ejected.  Elder  VVoodard 
was  Moderator  and  brother  A.  J.  Hall,  Cierk.  Six  out  of  the  30 
churches  were  not  represented,  but  a  very  large  delegation  attended. 

Jesse  R.Starnes,  president  of  J udson  College  andliev.  J#  A.  Speight, 
editor  of  the  Asheville  Baptist  were  present. 

A  lorward  movement  in  good  works  had  resulted  in  a  hundred 
and  twenty-seven  additions  by  baptism,  but  more  exclusions  than 
usuai  in  all  the  chuichea  aggregating  thirty -six.  Fourteen  churches 
had  been  blessed  with  revivals  and  nineteen  had  reported  baptisms. 
Tw  en  ty -seven  Sunday  Schools  numbering,  1232  students  had  been 
in  operation.  Several  of  the  pastors  kad  been  active  in  the  revival 
work.  Elder  J.  M.  Earles,  with  the  pastor,  G.  H.  Church,  of  Bryso 
City  en urch.  Uad  baptized  19.  Elder  Justice  at  Maple  Spring  had 
baptized  23.  Elders  Woodard  and  Pruitt  and  most  o\'  the  pastors  had 
good  success  in  their  charges. 

No  Associational  Missionary  had  been  in  the  field  for  the  year. 

Nineteen  dear  brethren  and  sisters  had  died  out  of  ten  of  the  church* 
e*.     Brother  J.  (.'•;  IToloway,  of  Cheoah  was   among  the  number  of  the 

deceased. 

Rock  Spring,  an  Indian  church,  newly  constituted,  joined  the  Asso- 
ciation, but  Fair  View  church  had  been  consolidated  with  Double 
Branch  and  so  disappeared  from  the  church  roll;     so  the  church    roll 


(7*) 

ending  with  August,  1892,  stands  as  follows:  Antioch,  Aiarka, 
Brush  Creek,  Buffalo,  Bone  Valley,  Bethabara,  Bryson  City,  Cheoah, 
Cold  Spring,  Chambers  Creek,  Double  Branch,  Forney's  Creek,  Plolly 
Spring,  Hazel  Creek,  Indian  Creek,  Lufty,  Lone  Oak,  Maple  Spring, 
Mt.  Zion,  Nantahala,  Panther  Creek,  Round  Hill,  Rock  Spring,  Ste- 
coah,  Santeetlah,  Sweet  Water,  Tuskeega,  Tennessee  River,  Teliico, 
Qeilow  Creek,  all  numbering  a  total  or  about  1000  mambers  in  Swain 
county  and  about  six  hundred  in  Graham,  But  little  had  been  done 
for  missions,  but  the  State  Baptist  Orphanage  had  been  aided). 

An  attempt  was  made  to  revive  the  Association  High  School  by 
locating  it  at  Bayson  City,  but  it  failed.  An  effort  was  made  to  start 
a  High  School  by  the  joint  co-operation  ot  Tuckaseige,  Tennessee 
River  and  Western  N.  C.  Associations  by  committees  appointed  in 
August  at  the  sessions  which  is  vet  an  experiment  to  result  in  success 
we  hope. 

Four  ministers  had  been  ordained  J.  W.  Justice,  of  Teliico,  in 
December  1891 ;  H.  H.  Hyde,  of  Mt.  Zion  ;  H.  A.  Cunningham,  of 
Cold  Spring  in  May  1892,  and  W.  C.  Hamrick,  of  Nantahala  in  June, 
1892, 

List  of  ministers  and  officers  as  follows: 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION    AND  THEIR  P05T0FFJ<E*. 

J.  S.  Woodard,  Moderator,  Needmore,  N.  C.  A.. J.  Hail,  Clerk,  Way- 
side; W.  H.  Queen,  Treasurer,  Lufta ;  J.  S.  Smiley.  Historian, 
Swain. 

ministers'  names. 

G.  H.  Church,  Bryson  City,  J.  H.  Queen,  Bryson  City ;  J. 
M.  Earles,  Bryson  City;  J.  S.  Smiley,  Swain  ;  T.  S.  DeHart,  Swain  ; 
J.R.Edwards,  Swain;  H.  A.  Cunningham,  Swain;  H.  H.  Hyde, 
Swain;  J.  S.  Woodard,  Needmore;  J.  A.  Amnions,  Needmore ;  B.  L. 
Morgan,  We  ch;  A.  A.  Justice,  Etna;  J.  W.  Justice,  Etna;  R.  H, 
Crisp,  Dorsev  ;  M.  Rogers,  Dorsey ;  C.  T.  Calhoun,  Wayside;  .John 
Jackson,  Robbinsville  ;  G.  W.  Orr,  Robbiusvide ;  G.  W  Hooper,  Rob- 
bineville;  Win.  Pruitt,  Robbinsville;  0,  P.    Williams,   RobbinsvUlei 


(W)     . 

S.  M.Jordan,  Robbinsville;  W.  C.  Morgan,  Robbmsville ;  W.  R. 
Caldwell,  Robbmsville;  T.  J.  Calhoun,  Medlin  ;  H.  B.  Cook,  Medlin  ; 
John  Lester.  Bushnell ;  W.  C.  Hamrick,  Nantahala. 

LICENTIATES. 

W.    Slaughter,    Robbinsville,      J.     B.      Brooks,      Dorsey ,    .1.    C 
Laney,  Wayside;  A.  Wiggins,  Bryson  City  ;  D.  8;  Collie,  Bryson  City; 
W.  E.  Conner,  Bryson  City  ;  Wm.    Welch,    Proeter ;  C.    Lester,    Tus- 
keege°  ;  W.  M.  Chambers,  Robbinsville. 

HISTORICAL  SUMMARY. 

Now,  after  this  Association  has  existed  thirty-one  years,  we  wish  to 
give  a  Summary  of  its  growth.  It  was  organized  Oct.  2f>,  1861,  with 
six  small  churches  on  Valley  River  at  Valley  Town  church  now 
known  as  Second  Valley  River.  Once  had  Murphy,  Valley  River, 
Red  Marble,  Second  Valley  River  in  Cherokee  county.  The  As- 
sociation was  known  as  Friendship  until  1868  when  the  name  was 
changed  to  Valley  River  which  name  it  retained  until  1880  when  it 
was  changed  to  Tennessee  River.  The  little  body  gathered  eastward 
and  now  covers  only  Swain  and  Graham  counties  with  the  exception 
of  Tellico  in  Macon.  Organized  with  not  exceeding  300  members  and 
now  numbers  1,600. 

ADDITION. 

Statistics  of  churches  gained  in  the  Association  sinee  October,  1861- 

In  organization,  6. 

New  churches  organized,  f>2. 

Received  bv  letter,  4. 


Total,  42. 

DIMINUTION. 

Dismissed  by  tetter,  4. 

Dissolved,  etc.,  8. 


Total  loss,  12. 

Present  Roll  of  Churches,  30. 


(7T) 

m 

MINISTERIAL  CHANGES. 

Minister*  in  organization  of  Association,  3. 

Ministers  added  by  letter,  7* 

Ministers  ordained,  3-3, 

Ministers  excluded,  8. 

Ministers  died,  8. 

Present  number  of  ordained  Ministers,  SO. 

Licentiates,                     *  •            i-4-f  9. 

Total  number,  39. 


(T8) 


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James     Kimsey 
James  Whitaker 
The  Association 
James  Whitaker 
James  Whitaker 
James  Whitaker 
James     Kimsey 
James      Kimsey 
James      Kimsey 
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A .      A  m  m  o  n  s 
A.      Ammons 
A.      Ammons 
A .      Ammons 
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A.      Ammons 
A.      Ammons 
P.      G.      Green 
J.     M.     Smiley 
J.    g.    Woodard 
J.    S.    Woodard 
J.    S.    Woodard 
A .    A .     J  ustice 
A .    A.     J  ustice 
J.      M.       Earls 
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(79) 


HISTORICAL  TABLE  CONTINUED. 


B 

39 

P3 

H3  <j> 

>   o> 

O/t-2 

9 

o 
*-> 
m 

03 

2fffl| 

H3 

03 

"3 
o 

aim 

Sunday 
School 
Pupils        j 

r. 

h 

1865 

iS  3 

5 

3 

1 

2'  128 

|$  8 

52 

1866 

53 

20 

6 

33 

17 

1]  405 

l'  20 

13 

1867 

26 

38 

2 

32 

13 

4 

377 

!  22 

00 

1868 

30 

25 

4 

27 

19 

4 

465 

1  17 

80 

1869 

53 

52 

4 

43 

19 

5 

420 

1  18 

00 

1870 

28 

27 

4 

26 

6 

8  485 

1  23 

10 

1871 

81 

50 

5 

47 

21 

10  577 

14 

75 

1872 

33 

7 

60 

10 

5  533 

19 

30 

1873 

10 

u'46 

4 

31 

15 

81  532 

14 

>0 

1874 

36 

18 

4 

43 

22 

5  457 

!  12 

00 

1875 

48 

27 

5 

51 

16 

8j  561 

|  13 

20 

1876 

53 

38 

12 

34 

9 

9  532 

3 

350!  9 

30 

1877 

162 

40 

13 

67 

17 

11  701 

l  11 

00 

1878 

|  S6 

40 

12 

60 

16 

Hi  740 

10 

50 

1879 

"62 

36 

9 

68 

26 

8'  797 

j  25 

00 

18  0 

66 

29 

7 

40 

30 

l.»:  S24 

5 

!  n 

70 

1881 

72 

28 

5 

84 

19 

10!  705 

7 

i  42 

25 

1882 

112 

61 

16 

67 

13 

14  850 

16 

!  40 

90 

1883 

181 

73 

15 

73 

23 

111101 

20 

4501184 

85 

1884 

156 

90 

26 

113 

42 

14 

1267 

T8 

7591144 

55 

1885 

43 

67 

4 

130 

53 

1(5 

1200 

15 

[102 

Ou 

1886 

110 

81 

7 

93 

40 

21 

1260 

15 

!  76 

45 

1887 

72 

56 

6 

77 

24 

5I1300 

18 

|125 

00 

1888 

139 

143 

11 

154 

33 

15 

1278 

21 

| 

1889 

K  72 

85 

21 

85 

44 

7 

1167 

18 

11611  57 

55 

1890 

'  87 

71 

21 

84 

1  34 

20 

1380 

26 

1SS9!  56 

00 

Totals  1824  1280  233  1602  581  242  1400  26  1339 


LIFE  SKETCHES 


OF 


O^T-e^ar  T-rore^zxty  !D<z.xrc>icdL  Se^r^rasLnts 


OF  THE 


Baptist  Church   in   Western  North    Carolina, 


WHOSE      WOKK 

f 

HAS    BEEN    DIRECTLY   CONNECTED 


WITH 


TENNESSEE    RIVER    BAPTIST    ASSOCIATION 


m 


%ldzf  Humphrey  Vozzy. 

Humphrey  Posey  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Virginia,  Jam 
12th,  1780,  when  he  was  about  five  years  old,  his  father  removed 
Burke  county,  N.  C,  where  young  Posey  spent  his  childhood, 
mother  taught  him  when  but  a  child,  having  no  spelling  book 
spell  and  read,  and  by  the  time  he  was  seven  years  old,  he  had  : 
the  New  Testament  through  several  times  without  having  gone 
school  more  than  twenty  days. 

His  parents  moved  to  Greenville,  8.  C,  and  when  he  wasabout 
en  teen  years  old  he    commenced   teaching    what   he    called   an 
Field  School."     in  the  spring  of  1799,  he  went  into  Union  Distric 
follow  the*  same  occupation. 

On  the  28th  day  of  January,  1800,  he  married  to  Miss  Lettie   J 
and  taught  school  that  year  in  the   same   community,   and   in    1 
removed  to  Greenville  again.     On  the  10th  day  of  June,   1802,    P( 
joined  the  Baptist  ehureh.     He  vtfas  licensed  to  preach  in  1803,  an< 
1804  moved  to  Buncombe  county,  N»  C.     Cane  Creek  church   was 
tablished  J 0th  day  of  May,  1806,  and  Posey  was  ordained  to  the   n 
istry  on  the  same  day.     Elder  Posey  was  appointed  Missionary  to 
Cherokee  Indians,  Nov.  24th,  1817.  After  leaving  tins  work  he  mo 
to  Macon  county,  N.  C,  and  settled  three  miles  below    Franklin   i 
Tennessee  river.     Here  Posey  dwelt  for  many  years  until  1842,    vt\ 
he  moved  to  Murray  county.  Ga.,  where  his  wife  died. 

Prom  Murray  he  moved  to  Newman,  Ga,,  where  he  formed   his 
toid  marriage  to  a  widow,  Jane  Stokes.     But  we  wish  to  note   Pos 
work  in  X.  ('.,  while  he  lived  in  Macon  county.  > 

About  the  year  1X29,  he  with  Adam  Corn,  organized  Mt.  Ziou  1 


tist  church,  near  ArneecheFord  on  Oconee  Lufty,  and  in  Dec.  1832,  he 
and  other?  as  presbytery  organized  Brush  Creek  Baptist  church  on 
Tennessee  river,  about  15  miles  below  where  Posey  lived.  In  the 
latter  church  Posey  was  pastor  for  1833,  being  the  first  pastor  of  this 
young  organisation.  From  these  two  churches  have  mostly  sprung 
all  the  churches  of  Tennessee  River  Association.  Posey  would  ride 
from  his  home  on  Saturday  mornings  to  Brush  church  meetings  by  11 
o'clock  a.  m  ,  to  preach  and  find  a  shelter  for  his  horse  and  corn  and 
fodder  at  the  church  to  feed  the  horse,  all  the  sample  ot  the  noble 
hospitality  of  those  days,  which  was  set  by  a  noble  good  old  brother 
of  those  days,  Levi  Truitt  by  name.  Posey's  name  is  famous  through- 
out Western  N.  C,  as  one  of  the  first  pioneers  in  the  Lord's  king- 
dom here. 

In  1842,  Posey,  as  before  stated  moved  to  Georgia,  and  was  present 
at  tho  organization  of  the  Georgia  Baptist  Convention. 

Though  he  only  lived  about  four  years  in  his  last  adopted  state,  ke 
endeared  himself  to  them  with  whom  he  met  and  filled  a  very  useful 
career  there.  Such  was  the  esteem  of  the  life  and  labors  of  Posey  that 
a  good  Georgia  brother  wrote  and  published  his  life  in  book  form. 
But  with  all  che  good  and  useful  qualities  of  Posey,  he  like  others  had 
to  die  and  pass  away,  and  so  on  the  28th  of  December,  184(5,  he  died 
beloved  and  full  of  good  works  in  his  66th  year  and  in  the  ministry 
forty  years,  having  taken  part  in  the  organization  of  the  Baptists  of 
Western  N.  0.  m  the  French  Broad  Association,  1807.  remaining  h^re 
long  to  see  them  planted  in  all  these  western  counties,  and  also  aid- 
ing in  the  State  organization  of  Baptists  in  Ga. 

Truly  Posey  labored  and  sowed  and  thousands  of  Christians  have 
entered  into  his  labors,  many  of  whom  have  gone  the  way  of  all  the 
earth,  and  many  others,  with  hoary  locks,  are  now,  by  reason  of  age, 
standing  near  the  eternal  home  of  the  blessed,  waiting  the  summons 
to  y;o  home. 


mm 


Elder  *Dat>id   Elder. 

David  Elder,  the  son  of  William  Elder,  was  born  about  1790.  He 
was  raised  a  poor  boy  and  obtained  his  living  by  farming.  He  pro- 
cured such  an  education  as  fitted  him  to  read,  write,  etc. 

He  was  married  to  Susan  Hyde,  a  good  woman  to  help  in  the  race 
of  life. 

By  this  marriage  there  were  five  sons  and  six  daughters.  Three  of 
the  sons,  William,  Benjamin  and  John  becoming  Baptist  preachers, 
the  latter  named  becoming  one  of  the  most  noted  preachers  in  Texas 
where  his  father,  David,  finally  settled  about  1851. 

Where  David  Elder  joined  the  church  at  first,  we  cannot  say,  but 
we  find  his  name  in  the  organization  of  Brush  church  as  a  Deacon 
as  early  as  Dec.  1832.  His  impressions  lead  him  into  the  ministry 
and  he  was  ordained  to  that  work  in  Brush  Creek  July  meeting  1834, 
by  Elders  Humphrey  Posey,  Joshua  Hall;  Joshua  Amnions  and  a 
brother  Styles. 

From  this  tim«  forth  Elder  was  very  active  in  Brush  Creek,  Lufty 
and  Tennessee  River  churches  He  served  Lufty  church  from  its 
organization,  1836  tol842  in  succession.  He,  in  company  with  Elder 
James  Kimsey  aided  in  constituting  Tennessee  River  in  1835. 

Bro.  KUler  aided  in  ordaining  Elder  Samuel  Gibson  in  Mt.  Zion 
church  on  Lufty  soon  alter  his  own  ordination  So  we  may  consider 
Elder  the  first  ordained  preacher  in  the  bounds  of  Tennessee  River 
Association  and  Elder  Gibson  the  second  one. 

Elder's  timidity  was  very  great  at  first.  As  an  instance  of  such  we 
give  an  incident  of  it.  His  first  effort  toward  public  life  was  to  write 
out  a  prayer  to  be  used  by  himself.     This  experiment  did  not  tit  him 


(85> 

after  putting  it  to  a  prayerful  test  and  so  one  day,  while  in  the  silent 
woods  where  he  had  been  at  his  devotions,  he  made  a  grave  among 
the  leaves  and  hnried  his  written  prayer  to  be  used  no  more.  In 
1846  and  1847.  brother  Elder  was  the  instrument  under  the  Lord 
Jesus,  aided  by  Elder  Allen  Ammons,  who  was  then  a  Licentiate  in 
conducting  a  precious  revival  o::  religion  which  extended  its  influ- 
ence all  over  what  is  now  Swain  comity,  he.  at  the  time,  residing  in 
about  one  mile  of  the  present  church  of  Cold  Spring. 

Brother  Elder,  like  many  other  North  Carolinians  have  done,  in 
1877  moved  to  Texas  with  most  of  his  family,  where  he  soon  became 
missionary  and  preached  until  his  death,  about  the  year  1854.  He 
was  a  sound  gospel  preacher,  giving  his  churches  and  people  good 
doctrine.     He  was  also  a  good  friend  of  education  and  missions. 


(86) 


Hide?  Samuel  Gibson. 

Samuel  Gibson  was  born  in  Burke  county,  N.  C,  on  the  15th  day 
of  August,  1794.  He  was  the  second  son  of  Joseph  and  Gemiraa 
Gibson. 

/In  his  youthful  days  he  had  serious  impressions  in  regard  to  the 
importance  of  the  soul  and  the  christian  religion,  which  impressions 
kept  him  from  joining  some  of  the  youthful  follies  of  his  day,  such  as 
dancing,  cock-fighting,  swearing,  etc. 

He  was  noted  for  his  truthfulness  and  honesty,  Tbwe  was  noth- 
ing hidden  in  his  character,  as  he  always  spoke  his  sentiments  and 
belief  without  any  deceit  or  intention  to  be  misunderstood 

He  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country  in  the  war  with  Britain 
on  the  9th  of  Deeember,  1813,  and  served  faithfully  until  his  discharge 
May  22nd,  1818. 

He  loved  the  union  and  throughout  the  war  between  the  states  he 
claimed  and  expressed  his  feelings  and  love  for  the  ''Stars  and  Stripe**,1' 
notwithstanding  his  defendants  wereal)  fighting  under  the  "Stars  and 
Bars." 

He  was  married  to  Eliza  Jane  Black  in  Burke  county  in  February, 
1818,  in  whom  he  found  a  perfect  help-mate  until  in  April,  1866, 
when  death  removed  her  to  a  better  home. 

lie  was  subsequently  married  *c>  Charity  White,  a  good  Christian 
wornau^  who  gave  him  much  comfort  in  hiss  last  days  and  who  died 
soon  after  her  husband.  We  turn  to  notice  his  early  piety  and  his 
conversion  to  Christianity. 

Me  prolessed  faith  in  the  blood  of  Jesus  hi  the  year  1880,  and  joined 
I  he  Mt  Zion  Baptist  church,  a  church  on  the  Oconee  Lufty  river,  aud 


(87) 

arhich  then  belonged  to  the  French  Broad  Association,  and  was  bap- 
tized in  said  river,  by  Elder  Adam  Corn. 

Elder  Gibson  was  ordained  to  the  Gospel  ministry  in  the  Mt.  Zion 
Baptist  church,  in  what  is  now  Swain  county,  by  Elders  William 
rlaynes  and  David  Elder,  as  Presbytery,  in  the   year  1S34, 

He  was  a  zealous  and  faithful  minister  to  ths  time  of  his  death 
jfhich  occurred  in  Macon  county,  N.  C,  on  the  16th  day  of  June, 
1878. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  a  strong  advocate  of  the  eaust  of 
remperance,  and  if  an  extremist  on  any  one  point  it  was  that  01 
Temperance. 

-  Elder  Gibson's  education  was  limited  though  being,  perhaps  over 
;he  ordinary  scholarship  of  his  day.  He  served  as  magistrate  in  the 
ounty  of  Haywood  for  many  years,  was  punctual  to  his  business 
mgagements. 

He  would  never  disappoint  a  congregation  or  a  church,  but  always 
met  his  appointments.  The  days  of  this  venerable  servant  ot  (rod 
were  spent  financially  in  the  counties  of  N.  C»  west  of  the  Balsam 
mountains  when1  his  footprints  were  often  made  and  his  voice  of 
gospel-teaching  was  heard  for  more  than  forty  years.  His  heart  and 
jioul  abounded  in  the  principles  of  charity,  and  although  not  what 
the  world  calls  wealthy,  he  lived  free  from  want  and  was  liberal  to 
pie  needy. 

His  rule  of  domestic  life  was  to  follow    the   pursuits  of  husbandry 
or  tillage  of  the  earth  about  four  days  in  each    week    and    attend    his 
ministerial  engagements  the  other  three.     He  delighted  to  labor  with 
his  hands  and  did  so  until  afflicted  beyond  ability  to  do  so. 

His  ministry  was  spent   mostly   in     Haywood,    Macon,    Cherokee 
Jackson  and  Swain  counties,  he  dwelling  in  That  is  now    Swain    for 
about  twenty  years.     His  membership  was  in  Cowee   Baptist   church 
from  1851  or  1852  until  his  death. 

;  His  zeal  for  piety  and  the  good  cause  of  Truth  did  not  abate  with 
the  advancement  of  age,  but  with  a  spirit  somewhat  akin  to  the 
Leaders  of  ancient  Israal,  vix:     Moses,  Joshua,   David  and    Solomon 


he  desired  to  deliver  his  farewell  warnings  and  councils  to  the  chin 
es.     From  1866  to  1876,  he   traveled    around    among    the    churo 
which  had  been  the  scenes  of  his  youthful  labors  and  preached,  as 
termed  them,  his  farewell  sermons.     Heat  of  summer   and    cold 
winter  and  the  high   mountains  of  Cowee    and    their    neighbori 
ranges  were  traversed  to  make  these  farewell  pilgrimages  to  the   de 
churches  he  loved  so  well.     He  believed  that  the  call  to  the  Ministi 
was  the  impressions  of  God's  Holy  Spirit  upon  the  man,  feeling  it  | 
be  his  duty  to  preach  and  teach  men  to  repent  and  live  Godly  lives  i 
this  present  world  in  order  to  gain  that   which    is    to   come   throug 
the  atoning  merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 


(88 


IClder  Jamez  Kimzeg. 

.Rev.  James  Kimzey,  late  Moderator  of  the  Valley  River  Baptist 
Association,  died  on  Tuesday  evening,  April  12th,  1870,  at  his  own 
house,  in  Towns  county,  Georgia,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age, 
and  in  the  midst  oi  his  usefulness  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel. 

Elder  Kimzey  was,  perhaps,  the  most  successful  preacher  io  all  the 
mountain  country  oi  North  Carolina  and  Georgia.  He  was  one  of  the 
few  that  continued  at  his  post  throughout  the  late  war  in  the  vStates. 
He  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  Kimzey.  Was  born  in  Hav- 
wood  county,  N,  O,  December  23rd.  1803.  He  joined  the  Baptist 
church  in  Franklin,  was  baptized  in  the  Tennessee  river  by  Uev.  H. 
Posey,  September  6th,  J 830,  and  commenced  preaching  shortly  after 
as  a  licentiate  in  that  church.  Was  ordained  afterwards  by  Eiders 
11.  Posey,  J.  Hail,  G.  F,  Oaler  and  B.  Stiles.  He  continued  a  faithful, 
zealous,  and  much  respected  minister  of  the  Gospel  for  near  forty 
years.  .  The  eircu instances  of  his  dying  bed  me  so  remarkable  that  a 
slight  sketch  will  be  noticed  here, 

On  Monday,  the  11th  of  April,  his  condition  showed  plainly  to  the 
bystanders  that  he  could  not  last  long.  This  being  suggested  to  him 
by  a  friond,  lie  summoned  all  his  -remaining  strength,  and  in  the  lull 
possession  of  all  the  faculties  of  his  mind,  commenced  exhorting  the* 
crowd  of  bystanders  around  his  dying  bed;  and  with  but  m^raarptary 
intervals,  continued  his  exhorting  until  Tuesday  in  the  afternoon, 
when  his  breathing  stopped,  and  he  sank  down  in  death  without  a 
;-;igh  or  a  groan,  remarking  that  his  work  was. done.      \ 

Well  might  Balaam  say:  "Let  me  die  the  death  of.  the  righteous, 
and  let  my  last  end  belike  his.-'     Num.  .23:10.      Eider  Kiu.aev's inner- 


(9Q> 

al  was  conducted  by  Elders  E.  Heddeu  and  A.  Corn.  Heddeu  opened 
the  services,  and  read  for  his  text  Heb.  11:4.  "He  being  dead  yet 
speaketh."  A.  Corn  followed  on  the  same  words.  And  the  services 
.  closed  by  saying  "our  brother  has  gone  to  rest,  and  his  works  will  fol- 
low him."     Rev.  14. 

The  good  works  of  brother  Kirazey  may  never  be  fully  known  in 
this  life.  "He  often  went  forth  weeping,  but  would  return  rejoicing, 
bringing  his  sheaves  with  him."  Pas.  12:6.  He  traveled  and  preached 
much  as  a  missionary,  mostly  on  his  own  expense;  and  all  the  while 
having  the  pastoral  care  ot  one  or  more  churches,  which  he  attended 
monthly  with  great  exactness.  His  pulpits  were  seldom  left  empty 
on  preaching  days.  He  was  married  to  the  daughter  of  Matthew  and 
Kesine  Russell,  of  the  Presbyterian  order,  consequently  their  daughter 
would  be  raised  under  the  rules  and  discipline  of  that  church,  which 
eminently  fitted  her  for  the  duties  of  subsequent  life.  She  was  born 
in  Pickens  district,  S.  i'\,  in  the  year  1804,  was  married  to  James 
Kinzey  in  1824 — were  both  baptized  in  Tennessee  river,  by  Rev.  H. 
Posey,  and  received  into  the  Baptist  church  in  Franklin.  There 
seems  to  have  been  a  blessing  concealed  in  this  marriage  not  then 
perceivable,  but  was  afterwards  fully  developed  in  their  qualifications 
for  usefulness  in  future  life— he  as  a  minister  of  Jesus,  and  she  as  a 
suitable  and  faithful  tompanion  and  h«lp  meet  in  all  his  gloomy  fore- 
bodings incident  to  ministerial  life.  Like  an  angei  nf  peace,  she  was 
always  ready  to  administer  to  his  necessities,  and  to  keep  the  bright 
side  always  turned  towards  him. 

In  many  ot  his  missionary  travels  she  accompanied  him,  sometimes 
for  weeks,  or  even  months,  at  a  time.  Over  mountains,  and  across 
rivers,  her  face,  like  an  angel  of  light,  was  there  to  cheer  and  encour- 
age him  In  the  duties  of  his  calling  as  a  minister  of  Jesus.  And  if  he 
traveled  alone,  which  he  often  did,  she  was  always  ready  at  the  door 
on  his  return  with  a  hearty  "How  have  you  done?"  But  after  toil- 
ing in  this  way,  for  near  forty  years,  sometimes  happy,  but  often  cast 
down,  affiliated  and  distressed,  this  angel  of  peace  sickened  and  died  I 

and    is  now,   We   trust,    wearing 


that  triumphant  crown  that  is  prepared  for  all  the  taithful  in  Christ 
Jesus.  The  spot  where  her  body  lies  is  holy  ground,  sacred,  precious, 
and  will  keep  sacred  the  blest  deposit  until  Christ  shall  bid  it  r*se. 

But  the  surviuing  partner  is  left  alone  to  meet  and  buffet  the  storms 
of  life,  with  no  bosom  friend  to  tell  his  sorrows  to — none  but  Jesus, 
the  friend,  of  sinners;  to  tell  his  troubles  to !  But  still  he  faltered  not. 
His  preaching  seemed,  if  possible,  to  possess  more  power  and  influence 
as  he  grew  older.  Revivals  sprang  up  in  nearly  all  the  churches'  and 
settlements  where  he  preached — many  joined  the  churches  under  his 
care,  and  were  baptized  by  him.  We  might  name  some  of  them. 
The  brother  Hills — Noah  and  Wade — and  brother  Heddens— -Elisha 
and  Jefterson — names  that  adorn  the  pages  of  our  history  as  much  as 
any  others,  were  raised  up  under  his  preaching,  and  were  baptized  by 
him. 

He  was  not  what  the  world  calls  rich  nor  learned,  but  having  a 
competency,  he  was  like  one  we  read  of.  "Mighty  in  the  Scriptures/' 
Acts  18:24.  He  never  took  notes,  nor  wrote  even  the  skeleton  of  a 
sermon.  All  his  discourses  were  delivered  with  feeling  and  force  of 
argument,  as  well  as  Scripture— almost  irresistable !  And  when  he 
indulged  in  exhortation,  which  he  often  did,  he  had  no  superior.  His 
words  were  delivered  with  a  force  of  feeling  that  must  be  felt  by  all 
his  hearers.  He  was  generous  to  a  fault.  He  wrs  affable  and  kind 
in  his  intercourse  with  mankind  generally,  and  in  return  was  beloved 
by  all.  He  was  a  kind  and  indulgent  parent,  and  a  loving  compan- 
ion.    He  left  nine  children  living,  four  boys  and  five  girls. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  second  wife  was  a  Baptist  by  proiession, 
and  the  widow  of  Samuel  Cathey,  Esq.,  of  Towns  county,  Georgia, 
Dut  he  is  gone ! — has  left  a  disconsolate  widow  and  many  frieads,  to 
mourn  his  unexpected  departure.  He  has  finished  his  work,  as  said 
in  his  last  words.  u My  work  is  done/"  His  breathing  stopped,  and 
he  sank  down  in  death  without  a  sigh  or  groan,  and  now,  we  trust,  be 
yond  the  reach  of  trouble ! — has  joined  that  dear  departed  companion 
of  his,  who  had  reached  those  blissful  regions  but  a  few  years  beiore., 

James  Whitakee,  Sr. 
i 


-•'(9*) 

tie  eU 

k 

ilaml 

fames  ISLhitoker,  Sr.  H 

pda 
James  Whitaker,  Sen.,  was  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Mary    Whitaker^ 

Was  born  April  3,  1779,  in  Rowan  county,  N.  C,  near  the  place  whe«Lf 
Lexington  now  stands,  (now  Davidson  county)  and  was  theyounges 
of  four  brothers  and  two  sisters,  of  poor  -parents,    and    was  a    Farme 
by  occupation.     His  chance  for  an  education  was  very  limited,   neve 
having  gone  to  school  after  his  tenth  year.     His  parents   were   ol  the 
High  Church  party,  and  according  to  their  rules    had    him   sprinklec 
when  he  was  quite  young;  but  this,  according  to  his   own   statement 
had  but  little  weight  on  his  mind.     In  September  1800,   Bro.    Whita- 
ker married  Polly  Walker,  daughter  of  Howard    Walker,   and   shortly 
after  moved  to  Buncombe  county,  N.  C,  then  a  newly  settled  county. 
Bro.  Whitaker  joined  the'Church  on  French  Broad,  May   the    3rd    or 
•5th,  1806,  and  on  the  10th  of  the  same    Month    became    a   consistent! 

'.member  *$  the  Cane  Creek  Church,  and  was  ordained  Deacon,  and 
elected  Clerk  and  Treasurer  at  the  same  time.  Bro.  Whitaker,  has!, 
been  Clerk  and  Deacon  in  all  the  Churches  to  which  he  has  ever  be*  L 
long  '<],  and  has  clerked  for  all  the  Associations  where  his  lot  has  been 
cast.  A  great  portion  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  serving  the  public, 
both  in  Church  and  State,  he  wrote  a  great.deal,  both  secular  and  re- 
ligious, both  for  the  press  and  otherwise.  Bro.  Whitaker,  having  lost 
his  first  wife,  when  quite  old,  married  Mary  McBrayer,  widow  of 
James  McBrayer,  a  highly  respectable  old  lady,  and  a  member  of  the 
baptist  Church,  with  whom  he  spent  Ins  remaining  daya  <>ii  earth    in 

*  comparative  tranquility.  Something  over  four  years. before  1  lis  death 
'he  got  a  fall,  from  tin1  effects  of  which  he  novel*  recovered,  having  to 
walk  on  eruLehe*  the    balance  erf  his  days,  during  which  time    he   did 


>nr:i'. 
m '' 
ithf 
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Ion 
rifd 
lb 
neve 
soul 
im 


(98) 

Be  else  than  talk,  read  arid  write,  the  latter  of  whieh  he  did  a  groat 

sal  of,  and  his  writings  are  now  on  file  in  his  desk.      Bro.    Whitaker 

is  spent  a  long  life  of  usefulness,  both  to  Church  and  State,    and    in 

L£  death  the  Church  has  lost  one  of  her  main  props,  as  he  was  a  faith- 

.1  and  consistent  Baptist  to  the  day    of   his   death.     Bro.    Whitaker 

ad  a  good  head,  and  a  wonderfully  strong  mind,  which  he  retained  to 

great  extent  to  the  la-t,  and  his  general  health    was  good  ;    but,    on 

ionday  before  his  death,  his  strength  failed  him  so  that  he   required 

sistance,  and  for  the  four  days  thatvhe  lived  he  suffered  a  great  deal; 

'tit  he  had  some  happy  seasons,  he  slept  about   half    his    time;  but 

heu  not  asleep  nor  suffering  too  much,  he  was   talking  words  of  en- 

imragement  to  Christians,  warning  sinners,   and  pronouncing   bless- 

igs  on  all  his  friends.  A  few  hours  before  his  death  he  told  the  writer 

f  these  lines  that  he  was  passing  from  lite  to  death,  and   from    death 

o  life  again.     He  clasped  his  hands  and  shouted  .     "Glory  !     Glory  ! ! 

Hory  ! ! !  "     He  then  said  he  saw  his  happy    home   in     Heaven,    and 

ried  to  describe  it.     On  being  asked  if  he  was   happy,   he   exclaimed, 

0,  yes,  happy,  happy!"     He  said  he  saw   that    beautiful    crown    of 

lever-fading  glory  prepared  for  him,  the  beauties  of  which  he  said  be 

:ould  not  deseribeand  at  50  minutes  past  4  o'clock  on  Thursday   eve- 

ling,  the  fourth  day  of  his  confinement,  he  calmty  passed  away  ;    but 

ve  believe  that  our  loss  is  his  eternal  gain.     In  view  of  these    things, 

et  us- all  try  to  be  prepared  to  meet  our   Father   and    brethren    in    a 

setter  land  than  this. 

James  Whitaker,  Jun. 


er. 


m: 


Elder  John  %.  ®risp. 

We  having  been  appointed  by  the  church  of  Stecoah,  now  attempt 
to  write  a  brief  biographical  sketch  of  the  Rev.  John  L.  Crisp.  "The 
pulpit  is  the  most  favorable  arena  for  the  cultivation  and  display  of 
eloquence  which  the  usages  and  institutions  of  modern  times  present." 
The  inherent  dignity  and  importance  of  the  subjects  which  he  is  call- 
ed upon  to  discuss  ;  the  responsibility  he  is  under  for  the  truth  cr 
falsehood  of  the  doctrines  which  he  inculcates,  the  immense  influence  ex- 
erted by  Christianity  upon  the  laws,  literature  and  social  economy  of  the 
community  ;  the  long  array  of  impressive  historical  associations,  which 
are  connected  with  the  past  tortunes  and  vicissitudes  of  the  most 
ancient,  and  potent  of  ail  existing  institutions;  the  fact  that  the 
preacher  is  supposed  to  be  a  man  of  spotless  character;  all  these  rea- 
sons and  many  more  that  might  be  enumerated,  often  render  the 
pulpit  the  throne  of  eloquence.  But  it  is  a  fact  to  be  lamented,  that 
the  preachers  of  our  mountain  country  are  generally  without  much 
education,  andjmve  to  labor  under  very  limited  circumstances.  The 
subject  of  our  present  memoir  was  a  man  of  noted  piety,  of  firm  Bap- 
tist principles  earnestly  contending  for  the  Mih  once  for  all  delivered 
to  the  saints.  Brother  Crisp,  the  son  of  Micager  and  Mary  Crisp  was 
born  May  the  25th  A.  D.  1818,  in  Burke  county,  now  Caldwell,  was 
married  to  Percy  Hogue  in  1837.  On  Sept,  the  8th,  A.  0.  1848,  he  was 
received  by  baptism  into  the  fellowship  of  the"  Valley  River  Church, 
the  ordinance  being  administered  by  the  Rev.  .Tames  Kimsey.  and  in 
the  year  1844  was  dismissed  by  letter  and  became  a  member  o.  the 
Stecoah  Church,  now  Tennessee  River,  at  the  time  of  its  constitution 
and  remained  a  member  of  that  church  until  the  constitution   of  the 


(95).   ; 

New  Prospect  church  now  Stecoah.  Bro.  John  L,  Crisp  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  September  the  27th,  A.  D.  1873,  by  Rev. 
Allen  Amnions  and  M.  Ghormley,  Bro.  Crisp  remained  a  member 
of  the  Stecoah  Church  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  departed  this 
life  May  the  first  A.  D.  1876,  age  57  years  11  months  and  6  days.  The 
cause  of  his  death  is  supposed  to  have  been  Paralysis*  He  survived 
only  about  11  hours  after  he  was  stricken,  being  speechless  most  of 
the  time,  communicating  to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  by  signs  that  he 
was  going  to  change  this  time  world  for  an  heavenly.  During  the 
meeting  protracted  from  the  sermon  in  his  memory  there  were  over 
fifty  accessions  to  the  church.  He  was  a  devoted  and  faithful  member 
and  did  much  to  advance  the  Master's  kingdom.  He  was  always 
ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  the  indigent  and  helpless.  His  oblig- 
ing and  benevolent  disposition  gained  for  him  the  good  will  of  all 
who  knew  him.  It  may  be  said  that  he  lived  an  exemplary  life. 
We  leel  sad  to  think  he  will  no  more  meet  with  us  in  laying  plans  to 
advance  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  and  to  win  souls  for  Christ;  never- 
theless we  kindly  submit  to  the  will  of  our  King  and  Great  High 
Priest,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  When  the  family  draw  their  chairs 
around  the  fireside,  during  the  chilly  winds  of  autumn,  which  sigh 
through  the  trees,  they  behold  a  vacant  seat  never  more  to  be  filled; 
the  loved  and  cherished  one  who  has  "passed  over  the  river"  and  now 
resting  under  the  trees  of  life  in  the  land  of  sweet  deliveianee.  "There 
remaineth  therefore  a  rest  tor  the  people  of  God,"  We  extend  to  the 
bereft  wife,  sons  and  daughters  our  heart  felt  sympathies,  and  hope 
they  will  fight  the  good  fight,  and  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is 
set  before  them  so  that  they  may  be  able  to  meet  the  departed  one  be- 
yond the  skies. 

T.  A.  Carpenter,  Joel  L.  Crisp. 


W: 


'Elder  35,Hen    2Hmmoss. 

Eld.  Allen  Amnions  was  born  in  Buncombe  County,  N.  pi.  Sept. 
1819.  He  emigrated  with  his  parents,  Ephraim  and  Nancy  Ammons, 
to  Macon  Co.,  N.  C.  His  parents  being  among  the  first  to  settle  this 
county,  was  not  able  to  give  him  the  advantage  of  an  early  education, 
no  regular  schools  being  established,  so  that  the  high  character  that  he 
acquired  as  a  preacher  was  due  under  God,  to  his  deep  piety,  sound 
sense  and  unceasing  effortsto  educate  himself  in  the  work  to  which  he 
was  called. 

He  professed  faith  in  Christ  in  his  17th  ypar  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Humphrey  Posey  into  the  fellowshipof  Franklin  Baptist  church. 
He  was  married  Feb.  22nd,  1840,  to  Miss  Cyntha,  daughter  of  Manuel 
and  Margaret  Ross.  Eld.  Ammons  lived  in  different  localities  of  this 
county  for  some  three  or  four  years.  Tn  his  24th  year  he  furnished 
strong  evidence  of  his  Divine  call  to  the  work  of  the  Ministry  and 
preached  his  first  sermon  in  Bro.  Ben  net  Crisp's  house,  some  of  the 
oldest  brethren  and  sisters  of  this  (Stecoah)  vicinity  remember  his 
first  sermon.  He  "conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,"  but  consulted 
only  .the  Master  of  the  Vineyard  and  at  his  bidding  he  went.  He 
identified  himself  with  Brush  Creek  Baptist  church,  Macon  Co.,  N.  C, 
and  his  membership  remained  with  said  church  till  the  Master  called 
him  from  his  work. 

Eldtr  Ammons  was  ordained,  June  3rd,  184X.  to  the  full  work  of 
the  ministry  by  Elders  8.  Gibson  and  8.  Jabcob  Mingus,  and  from 
that  time  till  now  his  name  has  been  a  household  word  among  the 
Baptists  of  this  entire  section  of  country.  Asa  preacher,  Elder  Am- 
mons had  but  few  equals.     He  was  always  sound  in  doctrine,  and  his 


(97) 

vrmons  wore  especially  noticeable  lor  their  deep  solemnity  and  the 
■foestness  with  which  they  were  delivered.  The  hearts  of  his  hear- 
I  were  moved  by  his  tender  and  earnest  persuasions,  while  their 
rinds  were  enlightened  fry  his  clear  logic.  There  are  hundreds  o\ 
jen  and  women  throughout  this  country  who  can  remember  a  great 
art  of  many  of  his  sermons,  his  style  was  so  impressive.  While  he 
as  a  man  of  strong  will  and  of  remarkable  fnmness,  when  he  came 
>  talk  for  his  Master,  it  was  with  eyes  overflowing  ana  with  words 
l|rnpassion ate  tenderness.  As  a  preacher,  his  loss  is  greatly  felt  in 
lis.  the  Tennessee  River  Association,  For  several  successive  years 
e  saw  him  fill  the  Moderators  chair  in  this  Association.  As  a  man 
nd  a  citizen,  he  was  upright  in  his  conduct,  and  his  religion  was  his 
uide.  As  a  christian,  he  possessed  strong  faith,  and  in  fact,  his  en- 
re  life  and  teachings  go  to  furnish  conclusive  proof  of  his  true  and 
snuine  Christianity.  As  a  husband  and  father,  none  can  ever  know 
is  worth  save  the  bereft  widow  and  children,  whoso  hearts  are  made 
polate  by  his  death. 

He  kept  no  record  of  the  number  he  baptized  (as  we  can  find)  but 
fe  are  satisfied  he  baptized  more  than  one  thousand  parsons  during 
is  ministry.  He  was  engaged  in  the  Masters  work  about  thirty-two 
ears.  He  labored  as  pastor  and  missionary  and  ever  seemed  to  sub- 
lit  himself  to  the  demand  ami  call  of  the  Master.  Me  left  the  com- 
Rs  of  home  and  became  Captain  of  the  30th  N.  C.  Regiment,  sub- 
acting  himself  to  the  hardships  of  camp  and  soldier  life  for  about 
hive  years,  lie  was  an  industrious  minded  man  and  while  preachi- 
ng thirty-two  years,  nearly  at  his  own  expenses,  managed  to  secure  a 
espectable  legacy  for  his  wife  and  children.  His  death  was  very  sud- 
|m,  his  suffering  great,  though  he  was  in  his  proper  mind  and  mani- 
sted  great  patience,  and  met  the  summons  with  perfect  submission. 
Vhen  asked  by  his  son,  if  he  would  have  a  Doctor  sent  for,  he  calmly 
eplied,  the  Lord  is  my  Doctor,  and  in  a  few  minutes  his  body  slept 
Ijnd  his  soul  had  gone  to   God  who  gave  it. 

He  was  stricken  with  Paralysis  at  his  residence  in  SA'ain  Co.,  N.  C, 
"uly  2nd,  1880,  and  died  in  about  three  hours  after  he  received  the 
troke.  His  remains  lie  in  the  tomb  within  less  than  one  fourth  of  a 
&ile  of  his  residence,  to  await  the  call  on  the  resurrection  morn. 

W.  D.  Crisp,  Chm'n. 


i98- 


Elder  WlzzIzq  CTilliams. 

Wesley  Williams,  when  a  little  helpless  infant,  was  found  at  the 
Well  of  a  man  by  the  name  of  Williams  in  Pickens  district,  South 
Carolina,  in  the  year  1835.  Mr.  Williams,  Pharaoh's  daughter-like, 
took  the  subject  of  our  sketch  and  raised  him  as  his'  own  son,  and  it 
was  from  his  adopted  parent  that  Wesley  Williams  received  his  name. 
Elder  Williams  never  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  any  blood  re- 
lation. 

He  was  given  a  limited  common  School  education.  Like  many 
of  his  age  and  time,  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  ot  Secession  in  which 
he  received  injuries  which  never  healed  sulficientlv  to  permit  him  to 
ride  on  horseback.  He  was  in  the  noted  "Blow  Up"  at  Petersburg, 
Va.,  it  we  mistake  not,  which  was  the  closing  scene  of  his  military 
life. 

We  have  no  account  of  Elder  Williams'  religious  life  prior  to  his 
being  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  which  was  done  by  Concord  Bap- 
tist church,  Henry  county,  Alabama,  Jan.  16th,  1864,  only  a  short 
time  after  he  joined  the  church.  He  w<ts  ordained  to  the  ministry  by 
a  presbytery  consisting  of  Solomon  Hargrove,  Samuel  J.  Knowles  and 
Moses  Bracken,  July  19th,  1864. 

From  the  time  of  his  entry  into  the  Christian  ministry,  Brothe: 
Williams  led  one  of  the  most  consecrated  and  active  lives  for  hi 
Master,  Christ. 

Having  entered  upon  the  Christian  warfare,  he  determined  to  equip 
himself  well  with  its  weapon  of  defense,  by  studying  the  Holy  Scrip 
tures.  and  as  a  consequence,  his  reading  excelled  anything  we  have 
any  account  ot.  We  think  he  claimed  to  have  read  the  Old  Testa- 
ment through  thirty  times  and  the  New  Testament  three  hundred 
times  during  his  .ife. 

Extensive  were  his  missionary  labors,  and  we  are  surprised,  almost, 
at  his  abounding  activity  in  this  sphere  of  work,   when    we    consider 


(99) 

that  it  was  all  done  on  foot.  He  labored  under  the  appointment  o( 
the  Home  Mission  Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  travel- 
ling and  preaching  in  all  the  counties  in  the  State  of  Florida. 

Elder  Williams'  activity  and  success  are  proven  by  the  results  61 
his  work  as  he  aided  in  organizing  about  two  hundred  churches  and 
baptized  seven  hundred  and  seven ly-hine persons  during  his  ministry. 

On  a  missionary  tour,  he  arrived  in  Swain  county,  N.  C,  February 
,  1874,  in  the  tenth  year  of*  his  ministry.  >o  exhilarating  was  the 
mountain  climate  of  Western  North  Carolina,  in  contrast  with  what 
our  brother  had  endured  in  Florida,  that  he  finally  concluded  to  locate 
here,  and  so  he  united  with  Forney's  Creek  church,  of  Tennessee 
River  Baptist  Association,  by  a  leiter  from  a  church  of  West  Florida 
Baptist  Association,  in  April  1874. 

Not  willing  to  be  alone,  our  subject  sought  for  a    helpmate,    which 

'he  soon  found  in  the  person  of  Miss  Salinda  Jane  Crawford,  to   whom 

he  was  united  in  matrimony,  April  30th,  1874,  and  settled  as  a  citizen 

of  Swain  county,  N.  C,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Forney's  Creek,  where 

he  lived  until  he  ended  his  lite  work. 

Here,  in  his  new  field  of  labor,  he  was  chosen  Association  Mission  • 
arv  at  the  session  of  the  Association  in  1874  and  again  in  1875,  in 
which  place  he  labored  acceptably  until  his  death.  March  25th.  1876.. 
He  also  filled  the  place  of  pastor  in  Forney's  ('reek,  Cold  Spring,  and 
Tennessee  River  churches,  during  his  brief  career  here.  The  last  ser- 
mon he  preached  was  at  Forney's  Creek  church,  Saturday,  March  11th. 

1876. 

On  the  14th  of  March   "76,  he  was  taken  very  sick  with  a  fever  and 

alter  severe  suffering  for  11   days,    which   he  endured    with    Christ- 

f  ian    paiienee,  he  fell  asleep,  March  25th,  1874.     Thus  ended    the   life 

of  this  beloved  servant  of  God,  at  the  age  of   forty  one   years,    and    in 

the  thirteenth  year  of  his  Christian  pilgrimage. 

His  winning  disposition  and  pious  zeal  made  him  popular  and  re- 
spected ,  and  his  loss  to  the  church,  Association  and  citizenship  was 
mourned  by  many.  Elder  Williams  was  about  5  ft.  7  in.  high,  slightly 
gray  eyes  and  rather  dark  flaxen  hair,  his  weight  being  about  140  or 
150  pounds. 

He  was  interred  in  the  graveyard  in  sight  of  Tuckaseige  river  about 
one  and  one  half  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Forney's  Creek. 


flOOf 


Side?  Joshua  1?oi?i<s  "Edwards. 

Elder  J.  P.  Edwards  was  born  March.  1st,  1818,  in  Washington 
county,  Tennessee 

In  the  23rd  year  of  his  age,  he  made  a  profession  of  religion,,  unite- 
ing  with  Greasy  Cove  Baptist  church  in  the  same  county  of  his  birth, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Baity.  Soon  after  his  baptism,  he  was 
licensed  to  preach  after  which  his  time  was  principally  spent  in  preach- 
ing and  teaching. 

Elder  Edwards  was  married  twice.  His  first  'wife  was  a  Miss 
Arenith  Matcher  with  whom  he  lived  four  years  when  she  died.  His 
second  marriage  was  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Massay,  March  16th.  1849. 

In  1848,  he  moved  to  Cherokee  county  N.  C,  and  joined  the 
Friendship  Baptist  church,  and  still  later  he  joined  Beech  Creek 
church, 

Tn  1866,  he  moved  to  Beech  Creek,  (now  Graham  county,)  and  be- 
came a  member  of  Cheoah  Baptist  church,  and  later  on  his  member- 
ship was  with  Tuskeega  and  Steeoah  churches.  He  was  vrdained  to 
the  ministry  in  Tuskeega  church  in  1878. 

He  filled  the  pastorates  of  Tuskeega,  Stecoah,  Tennessee  River  and 
Hazel  Creek  churches  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  a  Bible  student, 
zealous  in  his  labors  and  sound  in  doctrine. 

He  took  great  delight  in  talking  on  religious  subjects,  and  what- 
ever the  topic  of  conversation,  it  would  find  some  channel  through 
which  to  How  to  Jesus.  He  read  much  and  retained  much  of  what 
he  read. 

When  too  feeble  to  fill  his  appointments  he  spent  his  time  at  home 
with  his  fan  lily. 


(101) 

He  suffered  for  two  years  with  Cancer  of  the  stomach,  but  bere  his 
sufferings  patiently,  often  saying  that  Jesus  suffered  for  him  and  he 
was  willing  to  suffer  until  Jesus  called  him  home. 

He  fell  asleep  July  30th,  1885,  as  quietly  as  a  babe  upon  its  mother's 
bosom. 

After  the  shadow  of  death  had  commenced  its  final  work  upon  the 
vitals  of  his  mortal  life,  he  said  all.  was  well  and  that,  he  wou'd  soon 
be  relieved  from  pain.  Even  after  he  had  so  far  passed  that  he  could 
not  speak,  he  was  asked  by  his  son  if  his  way  was  clear,  and  he  point- 
ed up  and  noded  his  head. 

Thus  ended  his  life  work  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven,  years,  four 
months  and  twenty-nine  days. 

W.D.Crisp. 


am) 


ILlder  Jsaae  ^Ua^lor  Sims.Shemll. 

Elder  I.  T,  S.  Sherrill,  son  of — —  and Sferrill   was   born 

in  Coffee  county,  Tennessee,  about  1812.  He  was  given  aa  liberal  En- 
glish education.  At  about  the  age  of  18  or  20  years,  he  had?  become  a 
professor  of  religion  and  connected  himself  to  the  Methodises  where 
he  soon  became  what  is  termed  an  itinerent  minister,  in  wh'icte*.  con- 
nection he  labored  for  seven  years.  But  his  investigation  of  the*1  sub- 
ject of  Christian  duty  finally  led  him  to  abandon  the  Methodists  t^nd 
join  the  Baptists.  He  was  baptized  by  the  noted  Elder  Howell,  'h  oi 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

Our  subject  was  soon  ordained  to  the  Baptist  ministry  and  continu- 
ed preaching. 

In  18—  he  came  to  North  Carolina.  He  was  married  to  Caroline 
Sherrill,  daughter  of  that  worthy  veteran,  Samuel  Sherrill  about 
1854,  From  this  time  forth,  his  labors  as  a  minister  was  spent  prin- 
cipally in  the  counties  of  Jackson,  Macon,  Cherokee  and  Swain,  N.  C, 

His  membership  was  at  Shoal  Creek  Baptist  church  lor  several  years 
and  subsequently  at  Cold  Spring  and  Indian  Creek  churches.  Elder 
SherriU's  pastorate  with  Cold  Spring  commenced  about  the  year 
1855, 

He  served  New  Prospect  or  Stecoah  church,  we  think  for  a  while. 
He  was  a  strong  Baptist  and  Well  read  in  church  history  and  his  pub- 
lic career  covered  a  period  of  over  tbrtyfive  years.  Elder  Sherrill  was 
oi  a  lively  and  pleasant  social  disposition,  though  for  several  years 
his  sermons  often  abounded  with  strong  utterances  against  Method- 
ism and  other  sects  by  which  he  often  received   tin*  epithet  ofJ'Fight- 


(108) 

t."     Pie  was  eloquent  and  when  warmed  with   his   subject,     He    bad 
ew  equals  ill  the  pulpit. 

Ashe  grew  older,  his  preaching  was  less  filled  within  veetives  against 
he  denominations. 

While    he    may    be    styled    a    good    preacher,  he  was  not    so    ex* 
:ellent  in  discipline  as  some. 

One  of  the  greatest  strokes  of  his  life,  was  the  apparent  coolness  of 
«jme  of  his  ministering  brethren  toward  hirn  which  grew  out  of  re- 
ports against  his  ministerial  and  Christian  character,  leading  to  an 
nvestigation  uf  the  charges  by  Cold  Spring,  his  church,  but  from 
which  he  came  forth  with  an  honorable  acquittal. 
His  views  on  the  subject  of  temperance  with  the  floaitng  -rumors 
ainst  him,  greatly  injured  his  reputation,  but  with  all  his  trials  he 
tiad  to  encounter,  he  was  a  good  man  who  loved  his  Master's  cause. 
He  lost  his  dear  wife  in  187 — -,  which  seemed  to  confuse  him  for  a 
ime.  He  formed  a  second  marriage  to  Catherine  Green,  a  widow. 
Be  raised  three  sons  and  two  daughters  by  his  first  wife.  He  was 
ifflicted  with  a  severe  pain  in  his  thumb  which  resulted  in  his   death 

m 1886.     His  last  words  to   surviving  Mends   were    full    of 

iope  as  he  gave  testimony  of  a  happy  acceptance   with    Christ   Jesus, 


rim 


JamezlB.  ^homaszon. 

•James  M.  Thomasson,  son  of  Lemuel  Thomasson.  was  born  in 
York  District.  S.  C  May  18,  1809. 

His  parents  were  wealthy  and   owned  slaves.     His  education    was    j 
equal  to  the  best  advantages  given  in  the  country  schools  of  his   day 
and  time,  being  sufficient  to  read,  write  and  to  calculate  in  first  prin- 
ciples of  Arithmetic. 

He  came  to  Macon  connty,  N.  C,  when  a  young  man  and  was  en 
gaged  for  a  time  in  the  mercantile  pursuit. 

He  was  also  a .  teicher  of  schools,  both  common  and  musical,  and 
his  labors  in  these  were  very  acceptable  as  he  took  great  pains  to  start 
the  young  learner. 

As  it  was  custom  in  earlier  days,  he  prepared  his  note  books,  con- 
taining about  thirteen  tunes,  such  as  Olney,  Holy  Mana,  New  Brit- 
ain, Midnight  Cry,  etc.,  in  manuscript  both  notes  and  words,  print- 
ing them  with  his  pen,  for  each  one  of  his  singing  classes. 

In  his  common  school  work.,  he  was  very  diligent,  and  some  of  his 
pupils  have  never  forgotten  his  efforts  to  start  them  in  their  school 
studies. 

Brother  Thompson  was  married  to  Susan  Truitt   daughter  of  Levi 

and Truitt,  Dec.  9th,  1832,  by  whom  he   raised  three  sons  and 

seven  daughters  who  were  brought  up  on  the  farm  on  Brush  Creek 
in  one  mile  of  Brush  Creek  Baptist  church.  Our  subject  was  con- 
verted and  joined  Brush'  Creek  church  18 —  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Humphrey  Posey.  He  was  soon  elected  church  clerk,  which 
place  he  efficiently  filled  first  and  last  for  over  thirty  years.  He  was 
chosen  deacon  of  Brash  Creek  church,  to  which  he    was    ordained   win 


onnection  with  Solomon  Truitt,  by  Jacob  Mingus  and  Samuel  Gib- 
on  at  June  meeting  1848. 

Our  subject  was  a  staunch  Baptist  and  always  set  a  good  example 
n  church  attendauce  and  church  councils  and  supporting  the  gospel. 
lie  loved  the  church  and  was  true  to  it  and  his  heavenly  Master. 

He  served  Tennessee  River  Association  in  the  elerkship  during  the 
'ears  1874  and  1876.       /  •     -        -  i  >t     -  x 

He  was  a  man  of  disease  for  several  years  which  combined  with  the 
nfirmities"  61  age  kept  him  from  attending  church  for  let*  tew  years 
>rior  to  his  death,  but  with  all  these  he  Was  patient  to  the  last  when 
le  calmly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  March  16th,  189f,-at  the  ageof  81  years, 
)  months  and  28  days'.'  "     '  '■"■■"*  •'*•      :'.—  •    • 


f.tO«) 


Elder  Jesse  IBadison  Smiley. 

Elder  J.  M.  Smiley,  son  of  Jesse  and  Elizabeth  L.  Smiley,  was  born 
in  Rutherford  county,  N.  C.,  Nov.  19th,  1820,  being  the  second  of 
three  sons  and  ten  daughters  and  third  child  of  the  family. 

His  father,  Jesse  Smiley,  was  raised  an  orphan  bov,  whose  parents 
died  when  he  was  only  old  enough  to  recollect  the  death,  in  conse* 
quence  of  which  he  was  bound  to  a  man  by  the  name  of  Smith.  By 
this  the  exact  time  of  his  birth  was  lost,  but  he  was  born  in  Dinwidie 
county,  Va.,  about  the  year  1781.  Smith  was  a  hard,  unieeling  master 
who  treated  the  orphan  boy  like  a  negro  by  whom  he  received  no 
schooling  and  as  a  result  Jesse  Smiley  was  an   unlettered  man. 

He  lived  with  Smith  until  15  years  of  age  when  he  left  him  to 
shift  for  himself. 

He  married  twice,  his  first  wife  dying  without  children.  His  sec- 
ond wife,  Elizabeth  Harrison,  was  born  in  Brunswick  county,  Va., 
June  8th,  1796,  and  she  was  the  pious  Baptist  and  devoted  Christian 
mother  of  him  who  heads  this  sketch.  Jesse  Srailev,  the  father,  was 
also  a  Baptist,  and  although  not  taught  in  letters,  he  had  a  vivid 
memory,  sound  judgment  and  industrious  habits,  obtaining  his  liv- 
ing by  farming. 

He  was  a  poor  man,  but  he  owned  a  home,  kept  his  family  free 
from  want,  and  gave  all  his  children  that  lived  to  be  grown,  an  edu- 
cation sufficient  to  read,  write,  and  some  of  them  obtained  to  a  knowl- 
edge of  Arithmetic  and  Grammar. 

Such  os  the  foregoing,  was  the  parentage  o1  Elder  J.  M.  Smiley, 
whose  life  and  labors  we  now  wish  to  narate.  He  attended  the  schools 
of  the  old  lr>£  school  house  three  months  and  seventeen   days   in    the 


(107) 

ubseription  schools  of  the  time  which  was  all  the  schooling  he  ever 
weived,  but  by  his  aptness  and  attention  to  his  studies  he  learned  to 
•ead,  write  and  calculate  through  the  four  rules  of  Arithmetic. 

He  fo.  lowed  the  occupation  of  farming  as  the  principal  one,  but  he 
?yas  also  a  mechanic  and  could  perform  several  kinds  of  mechanism. 

He  was  united  in  holy  matrimony  to  Annie  Brendle,  daughter  of 
fohn  D.  and  Lottie  Brendle,  Dec.  3rd,  1842. 

His  wile,  Annie,  was  born  July  13th,  1827,  and  had  been  given  but 
ittle  schooling,  barely  enough  to  read  print;  but  she  loved  the  help 
>f  good  books  and  was  a  devoted  wife  and  mother,  just  such  as  a  poor 
minister  needs  to  see  over  his  household.  The  result  of  this  wedding 
was  six  eons  and  seven  daughters. 

Elder  Smiley  was  converted  in  his  fourteenth  year  during  a  pro- 
tracted spell  of  sickness,  but  he  did  not  make  a  public  profession 
there,  nor  did  he  profess  until  after  a  severe  stroke  of  sickness  in  his 
family,  in  July  1855,  when  the  good  Lord  called  away  two  of  his  chil- 
dren by  death.  This  sad  affliction  set  him  to  seeking  for  the  evidence 
of  his  salvation  which  took  place  under  the  ministry  of  Elder  Merritt 
Rickman  in  October,  1855. 

He  joined  the  Baptist  church  at  Cold  Spring  in  March,  1850,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Samuel  Gibson  in  Alarka  on  the  farm  of  Nath- 
an DeHart.  He  was  soon  chosen  Clerk  of  Cold  Spring  church,  in 
which  he  labored  for  about  seven  years.  He  put  off  what  he  often 
felt  to  be  his  duty,  that  of  preaching,  for  the  long  years,  before  he 
made  his  first  effort,  which  effort  was  made  in  the  house  of  his  father- 
in-law  on  one  Sunday  evening  in  Dec,  1866.  His  first  text  was 
"Wherefore  He  saith,  Awake  thou  that  sleepest  and  arise  from  the 
dead  and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light,"   Eph.  5:14. 

He  was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  in  Cold  Spring  Baptist 
church  in  July  1871,  by  Elders  M,  Rickman,  A.  A.  Justice,  W,  H. 
Conner  and  P.  Ft.  Rickman. 

Elder  Smiley  labored  in  the  ministry  about  seven  years  before  he 
Was  ordained. 


His  life  work  in  the  cause  of  Christ has  been  confined  principally 
to  Swain  county,  N.  C,  where  he  has  labored  at  a  great  sacrifice  of 
his  time  as  pastor  in  Cold  Spring,' 'Holly  Spring,  Forney's  Creek,  In- 
dian Creek,  Tennessee -River  and  perhaps  some  other  churches,  and  as 
Missionary  of  the  Tennessee  River  Association  from  Autumn  of  1881 
to  1882,  one  year.  *  Elder  Smiley's  rule -Was  to  visit  the  destitute  and 
preach,  and  in  this  way  he  was  instrumental  under  Go'd  •  in  prepar- 
ing a  people  for  building  Forney's  Greek  and  Indian'  Creek  churches'. 
He  held  protracted  meetings  in  several  other  places  and  in- all  has  as- 
sisted in  organizing  ten  churches,' all  in the  bounds of  Teimessee  River 
Association,  and  four  ministers  and  several  deacons.   '  ■"'"'-■  -"••'    •' 

He  has  baptized  many,  and  many  more  have  been  cori verted  under'- 
his  preaching.  ■•     '■'•■ '•'-•••    •" 

Elder  Smiley  has  been  a  close  Bible  student  and  few.'-'  excelled  him 
in  a  knowledge  of  the  Bible.  Most  o2  his  'preaching  has'been'done  at 
his  own  charges;  in  fact  he  often  refused  remuneration  in  his'  early 
ministry,  to  his  hurt,  We  think.   '•  •..•,■.■    .     •  '•.;.' 

His  health  and  strength  b%ve«-'1^t3ei^%li<ch:^atat;)]ib«?!-'^6ufd  do  much 
manuel  labor  and  fill  his  preaching  appointments,  but  in'-'  1889,  his' 
health  failed  in  consequence  61  a  lung  trouble;  ana1 -lie  had  to  slacken 
his  public  service.     -s  "V  ■'■':;:' 

He  was  able  to  attend  the  Association  at  his  home  'church,  Cold 
Spring,  in  August  1890,  and  to  make  a  Sunday  school  speech  in  the 
Sunday  school  mass-meeting  on  Sunday  morning  from  which  we 
drew  much  of  his  childhood  impressions  and  early  conversion,  lie 
visited  Indian  Creek  church  and  preached  on  the  1st  Sunday  in  Oct., 
1890,  which  was  his  last  preaching  service. 

His  disease,  Consumption,  continued  its  dreadful  ravages,  which 
our  subject  bore  with  Christian  patience,  remarking  that  it  was  going 
to  take  him  away  and  that  it  wouldbethe  better  for  bim,  and  at 
12,50  p.  m.  Sunday,  July  12th,  1891,  he  quietly  fell  asleep  and  pass- 
ed into  the  spirit  world  at  the  age  of  70 -years,  7.  months  and  "20  days. 

J  no.  S.  Smiley,,.. 


flOf» 


Slder  %..  %n  Justice. 

Amos  A.  Justice,  son  of  James  D»  and  Anthrite  Justice,  was  borll 
in  Henderson  <count.y,  N.  C,  two  miles  south  ot  Henderson  ville,  in 
sight  of  old  Mud  Creek  Baptist  church,  Feb.  9th,  1823,  in  which 
period  Amos  learned  little  else  than  wickedness. 

He  was  brought  np  to  the  occupation  of  the  farm  and  enjoyed  the 
pleasures  of  country  life. 

In  1831,  his  father  married  a  second  time  and  collected  the  children 
home.  It  was  fortunate  for  the  orphans  that  their  step  mother  was^ 
to  use  the  words  of  the  subject  ot  this  sketch,  "One  of  the  best  women 
in  the  world,"  by  whose  help  the  children  received  due  care.  These 
parents  were  not  religious  but  they  instructed  the  children  in  good 
morals,  and  to  respect  religious  people. 

The  mother  of  Elder  ustice  had  left  her  dying  request  and  prayer 
that  her  children  prepare  to  meet  herin  heaven.  This  was  the  prayer 
of  her  who  had  lived  and  died  a  consistent  Christian  of  the  Baptist 
church, 

The  request  of  his  dead  mother  was  told  to  Elder  Justice,  when  he 
had  arrived  to  riper  years,  by  his  father,  and  the  Words  of  the  request 
rang  In  his  ears  and  readied  his  heart.  He  then  and  there  Vowed  to 
forsake  sin,  but  rude  company  led  him  astray  again.  After  spending 
Sunday,  April  30th,  1838,  in  desecration  instead  of  going  to  preach- 
ing and  Sunday  school.,  Monday  morning  May  1st  opened  upon  him 
With  sad  reflections  over  his  misspent  Sunday  when  his  mothers  last 
words  again  spoke  to  his  heart,  resulting  into,  renewal  of  the  vow  to 
forsake  sin,  followed  by  a  prayer.  His  conviction  of  sin  burdened 
him  sorely  and  he  tried  the  h»w  (or  pardon  whieh  failed  and  with   the 


C110) 

aid  of  God  and  the  instructions  of  his  brother,  T.  R.  Justice,  he  was 
led  to  the  end  of  his  own  strength,  and  gave  up  all  worldly  hope  on 
the  1st  Sunday  night  in  July,  1838,  and  found  pardon  by  fully  trust- 
ing Christ.  With  the  acceptance  of  sins  pardoned,  he  sawa  t  once,  a 
fullness  in  Jesus  to  save  all  that  would  come  to  him  by  true  repent- 
ance and  faith,  and  felt  it  his  duty  to  persuade  others  to  come  to 
Christ- 
Being  only  a  youth  of  fifteen  years  »f  age  at  his  conversion,  he 
would  not  join  the  church  without  his  father's  permission,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  one  month  in  obedience  to  his  father's  advice  to  wait 
thus,  he  joined  Ebenezer  Baptist  church,  four  miles  east  of  Hender- 
Bonville,  N.  C,  4th  Sunday  in  August,  1838,  followed  by  his  father 
who  also  joined  on  the  same  day,  and  he,  our  subject,  was  baptized 
by  Elder  Benjamin  King. 

His  educational  advantages  were  limited,  but  he  was  given  school- 
ing, in  the  old-time  log  school  house,  sufficiently  to  read,  write  and 
calculate  in  Arithmetic,  to  the  Rule  of  Three. 

Immediately  following  his  baptism,  he  had  the  answer  oi  a  good 
conscience  toward  God,  was  very  happy  and  had  stronger  impressions 
to  exhort  others  to  seek  salvation, 

His  impressions  and  gifts  were  early  discovered  by  the  ministers, 
John  Lyons,  James  Blythe,  and  H.  Jordan,  who  advised  him  to  make 
an  effort,  but  fear  and  timidity  kept  him  from  doing  so  m  >re  than  to 
offer  public  prayer,  sometimes.  In  September,  1847,  he  moved  to 
Macon  county,  where  he  subsequently  married  Margaret  T,.  Shoap, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Isabella  Shoap.  of  Burningtown. 

He  hoped  that  the  impressions-  to  preach  would  leave  him  but  they 
did  not. 

rn  18o2,  be  engaged  in  the  work  of  selling  books  and  distributing 
tracts  as  a  colporteur  of  the  American  Tract  and  Bible  Society  which 
business  he  followed  with  success  until  March,  1860,  when  he  was 
compelled  to  stop  this  business  on  account  of  the  death  of  his  dear 
wife  who  had  been  one  of  the  most  faithful  companions  in  the  world. 
Thus  our  subject  was  left  with  three  children    and   no   good    wife   to 


(Ill) 

longer  guide  his  house,  a  stroke  whieh  he  deeply  realized  i<  r  years* 

He  formed,  after  a  time,  a  second  marriage  tu  Mary  Si  moods,  in 
whom  he  found  another  worthy  companion  true  to  his  interests. 

By  both  marriages  the  Lord  lias  given  our  brother  five  sons  and 
three  daughters. 

He  put  off  the  duty  of  preaching  until  in  1862,  when  the  church, 
Fort  Lindsay,  considered  his  gift  and  licensed  him  to  preach,  and  at 
the  expiration  of  three  months,  under  the  announcement  of  his  pas- 
tor, William  K.  Adams,  our  brother  made  his  first  eiiort  to  preach 
whicli  was  from  Isaaih  1:5,6.  The  Lord  blessed  the  sermon  which  was 
followed  by  twenty-five  persons  asking  prayers  as  seekers  and  twelve 
or  fifteen  professing  faith  in  Christ. 

On  the  solicitations  of  Brush  Creek,  Cold  Spring  and  other  church- 
es, Elder  Justice  was  set  forwaid  for  ordination,  hy  his  home  church, 
Fort  Lindsay,  and  in  November,  1862,  he  was  solemnly  ordained  to 
the  full  functions  of  the  gospel  ministry  by  Elders  Samuel  Gibson 
and  Allen  Amnions  as  the  presbytery. 

Thus  he  was  enstaUed  and  entered  upon  a  most  useful  career  in 
the  Lord's  work  as  an  under  shepherd  as  the  little  Hocks  at  Cold 
Spring,  Brush  Creek.  Stecoah,  Liberty,  Cartoogagha\7e  and  many 
other  places  can  testily.  He  has  aided  in  organizing  several  churches 
and  ordaining  several  deacons  and  ministers. 

He  has  spent  much  of  his  time  in  visiting  destitute  sections  and 
by  such  aided  in  preparing  the  way  for  church  organization.  He  has 
generally  had  charge  of  from  one  to  four  churches  at?  pastor  which 
labors  have  generally  been  prosperous.  He  has  twice  filled  the  exalt- 
ed station  of  Moderator  of  his  Association,  Tennessee  River,  and  one 
year  he  filled  the  place  of  Association  missionary,  He  is  now  68 
years  old,  but  bis  iove  and  zeal  for  his  Master's  work  still  prompts 
him  onward  in  the  good  work,  and  it  is  hoped,  thoughfenfeebled  by 
the  weight  of  years,  that  many  more  years  will  be  spared  to  him  by 
his  Lord  to  serve  the  church. 


If  2) 


"Life  2>ke£eh  of  "Elizabzih  (Srizp. 

Elizabeth  Crisp,  daughter  of  George  Holloway,  a  Methodist  minis.* 
ter,  was  born  in  Burke  county,  N.  C.,  February,  15th,  1787,  and  is- 
now  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  103  years. 

She  wa?  raised  up  under  Methodist  influence,  as  we  see,  and  be- 
came a  member  of  that  denomination  in  her  fifteenth  year,  which  is 
the  beginning  period  of  her  religion's  life- 
She  was  married  to  Bennett  Crisp  in  her  twenty-fourth  vear  bv 
whom  she  raised  five  sons  and  three  daughters.  Pendleton,  John 
Bennett,  George  Crisp  and  Robert  Crisp  are  her  sons 

Her  posterity  has  increased,  and  now  she  enjoys  the  pleasure  of 
having  seen  her  children  and  children's  children  to  the  fifth  genera- 
tion i 

Old  as  mother  Crisp  is,  she  has  her  proper  mind  and  can  talk  with 
good  judgement. 

She  could  see  to  thread  a  sewing  needle  when  more  than  100  years 
old,  and  was  enabled  to  sew. 

But  one  of  the  most  remarkable  incidents  of  tier   life    is,    that    she 
after  spending  her  long  life  in  the  Methodist  church     until    April  — 
1891,  win  n  she  joined  the  Tennessee  River   Baptist  church    and    was 
baptised  by  Rider  Robert  Crisp,  her  grandson. 

In  her  statement  to  the  brethren  and  church,  when  she  joined  she 
gaid  she  was  not  satisfied  to  die  until  baptized  like  her  Lord.  "I 
have  done  this,"  said  she.  'to  please  my  Lord  and  lnvselt/' 


a  is 


"Beacon  |ohn  'Beltfari 

John  DeHart,  son  of  Nathan  and  Catherine  DeHart,  was  born  in 
Burke  county,  N.  C.,  Nov.  26th,  1804. 

His  parents  moved  to  Tennesseee  about  the  time:  of  his  first  recol- 
lection, where  they  dwelt  a  short  time,  and  from  there  they  moved 
and  finally  settled  in  Wayne  Co.,  Kentucky,  on  a  creek  called,  John- 
son's  Fork,  where  our  subject  was  brought  up  to  the  occupation  o; 
farming. 

Like  so  many  of  his  day  aud  generation,  he  was  deprived  of  an  ed- 
ucation on  account  of  the  meagre  chances  afforded  him  in  youth,  and 
so  he  had  to  brave  life's  battles  without  book  knowledge, 

Truthful,  honest  sober  and  industrious,  he  grew  up  among  a  fan> 
ily  of  several  children,  ot  whom  he  was  the  elder,  and  made  a  man  of 
strong  judgement,  active  eriort,  and  determination. 

He  was  married  to  .lane  Roberts,  a  woman  wen  fitted  by  her  fine 
womanly  qualities  to  make  our  subject  a  good  wife,  which  marriage 
took  place  Oct.  18,  1823.  His  noble  consort  had  some  education  and 
could  read  the  Bible  which  was  the  guide  of  the  couple  in  subsequent 
life. 

In  October,  1828,  our  subject,  with  his  wife  and  two  children,  Lydia 
and  Martin,  moved  to  Macon  county,  N.  C,  and  located  the  first  year 
on  the  Hal:  farm  opposite  the  mouth  of  Co  wee.  From  this  place,  he 
moved  to  a  farm  on  the  west  bank  of  Tennessee  river,  now  the  farm 
of  his  grandson,  A.  J.  Freeman,  a  short  distance  from  Brush  Creek 
church,  where  he  resided  nine  years  on  State's  land. 

While  here,  he  became  well  acquainted  with  several  oi  the  noted 
Cherokee  Indians,  who  were  his  neighbors,  dwelling  along  the  Nanta- 


(114) 

hala  river,  as  they  had  not  yet  been  removed  by  the  United  States. 
Uchella,  the  Chief,  Old  Charlie  and  Sal  were  Mr.  DeHart's  nearest 
neighbors  in  those^pioneer  days,  and  to  the  honor  of  those  simple 
children  of  these  mountains,  they  respected  their  white  neighbor's 
live  stock,  always  furnishing  him  information  as  to  its  whereabouts 
and  sometimes,  as  a  neighborly  act,  would  bring  it  hometothe  owner. 

Few  families  t,-f  the  whites  dwelt  in  what  is  now  Swain  county  a£ 
that  early  day,  and  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  our  subject  to  aid  in  opening 
the  first  public  road  down  Tennessee  river  about  the  year  1830. 

It  was  the  good  fortune  of  our  subje«t  to  listen  to  the  preaching  of 
Humphrey  Posey,  G.  F.  Caler  and  others  at  this  earlv  day,  and  it  was 
Posey's  and  Caler's  preaching  that  fastened  conviction  for  sin  on  his 
mind  :  but  not  until  the  loss  of  a  dear  child  by  drowning  in  Ten- 
nessee river,  did  he  fully  see  his  deep  depravity  and  need  of  salvation. 

Thus  convicted,  he  wrestled  with  the  Lord  and  found  peace  to  his 
soul,  on  his  knees,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  in  secret.  He  confessed 
Christ  in  baptism  at  the  hands  of  Elder  G.  F.  Caler,  thus  becoming  a 
member  of  Brush  Creek  church,  1834.  He  was  ordained  a  Deacon  in 
Brush  Creek  183—,  and  was  in  the  organization  of  Cold  Spring 
Baptist  church  in  May,  1851. 

Like  most  new  converts,  our  subject  was  made  to  doubt  his  regen- 
eration, at  first,  but  the  Savior  gave  him  an  an-  wer  of  peace,  after 
praying  and  inquiring  about  the  matter  in  these  words  which  seemed 
almost  like  a  dream  :  "I  will  be  with  thee  in  the  sixth  trouble  and 
will  not  forsake  thee  in  the  seventh:"  this,  made  him  happy  and 
strengthened  his  faith. 

About  the  year  1838.  he  bought  the  Toe  Sherrill  place  on  Alarka, 
for  $860.25,  where  he  soon  settled  and  prospered  as  a  dutiful  Chris- 
tian and  citizen.  He  was  a  member  ot  the  Board  of  Education  and 
Warden  of  the  Poor  in  Macon  for  seven  or  eight  years. 

Only  three  families  resided  above   Brother   Deilart  on     Alarka,    at 
the  time  of  his  settlement  here,  viz:  Ute  Sherrill,  Dock    Wiggins  and 
a  Pendlev.      Here  on  Alarka,  thirteen  children   eight   males   and    five 
'females,    including  those  born  elsewhere,  completed  his  large  and    in- 
dustrious family, 


(115  i 

# 

In  -July  3rd,  1886,  God  took  his  kind  helpmate  home,  and  our 
Brother  was  left  alone. 

Again  in  Aug.  2oih,  1887,  he  formed  a  second  marriage  to  Jane 
Owen,  a  respectable  widow  lady  of  the  Methodist  persuasion,  to  whom 
is  accorded  the  lot  of  consoling  our  Brother  in  his  advanced  years. 

The  life  habits  of  our  dear  brother  in  Israel  are  such  as  are  well 
worthy  of  notice  here.  He  was  blessed  with  several  thousand  dollars 
worth  of  property,  which  he  has,  as  a  tru  •  parent,  equally  disposed  of 
among  his  children,  save  a  little  he  still  holds  for  himself  and  wife, 
so  he  intends  no  waste  in  lawsuits. 

The  writer  has  known  him  for  forty  years  and  can  truthfully  and 
with  pleasure  say  that  Bro.  John  DeHart  is  and  has  been  truly  good 
to  the  poor,  and  very  liberal  to  the  support  of  the  gospel  and  church 
of  which  he  is  a  member* 

He  has  refused  a  dollar  a  bushel  for  his  corn  offered  by  speculators 
and  let  his  poor  laborers  have  it  at  seventy-five  cents  per  bushel. 

His  promises  were  sure  to  be  fulfilled  to  the  letter,  and  his  over- 
flowing honor  in  giving  weights  and  measures  in  disposing  of  meat 
and  grain  or  whicn,  through  a  provident  life  of  industry  and  economy 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  he  always  had  plenty  of,  is  worthy  of  men- 
tion and  imitation, 

And  his  hospitality  abounded,  j;o  that  his  home  Was  the  refreshing 
place  tor  many  of  the  saints  and  others  of  his  fellowmen  and    women. 

As  our  brother  approached  the  latter  part  of  his  88th  year,  he  took 
|  careful  review  of  his  past  life  and  to  use  his  own  words,  said,  "I 
feel  that  1  have  wronged  no  one,  and  have  done  some  good  in  the 
world."  He  said  that  he  Was  resting  on  that  hope  he  gained  on  Ten» 
nessee  river  so  long  ago,  and  if  saved  it  is  the  mercy  of  God,  and  not 
for  anything  good  that  I  have  done.  \ 

He  was  heard  say  at  the  burial  of  one  of  his  children  that  he  had 
often  prayed  at  that  graveyaid  for  the  salvation  of  his  children. 

He,  in  Dec.  1892,  a  few  days  before  his  death,  had  his  coffin  made, 
believing  that  the  time  of  his  departure  was  near.  He  walked  and 
could  attend  to  business  near  the  house  on  Friday  23rd  of  Dec,  but 
at  night  was  taken  very  ill  and  on  Sunday  night,  Dec.  25th,  1892,  he 
calmly  fell  asleep  to  await  the  sound  of  Gabriel's  trump,  beloved  and 
mourned. 


'116'. 


.  w 


lder  ISerriitf  l^iekman. 


Merritt  Kickman  was  born  in  Buncombe  county,  N.  C,  east  of  Fair 
View,  August  6,  1812.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Sitton,  Jan. 
29,  1828,  in  his  sixteenth  year. 

He  had  not  the  advantage  oi  schools  and  to  his  beloved  wife  was 
accorded  the  honor  of  teaching  him  to  read.  He  made  advancement 
in  his  studies  and  prepared  himself  thus  for  his  life  work  and  became 
what  is  termed  a  ''Self-made  man,"  of  whom  his  country  and  wife 
may  justly  be  proud  and  thankful. 

He  was  converted  and  joined  the  Baptist  church  at  Cane  Creek  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Robert  Jordan  in  the  county  of  his  birth. 

He  was  subsequently  licensed  to  preach  by  Mills  River  Baptist 
church,  Sept.  24,  1836,  in  which  he  was  ordained  Aug.  27,  1837  by 
Elders  Robert  Jordan,  David  Blythe,  James  Blythe,  Jacob  Cantrell 
and  Matthew  Capps. 

For  about  eighteen  years  Eider  Rickman  filled  a  prominent  place 
in  churches  included  in  French  Broad  or  Salem  Baptist  Associations 
He  preached  some  in  Rutherford  county  and  once  attended  the  Baptist 
State  Convention  of  N.  C:  at  Raleigh,  as  a  delegate.  About  the  year 
1854,  he  disposed  of  his  property  in  Henderson  county,  N.  C,  pur  J 
chased  a  splendid  farm  on  Cowce  creek  in  Macon  county,  where  he 
soon  became  one  of  Macon's  model  citizens  and  one  of  Tuekasen-e 
Association's  leading  ministers,  for  a  period  of  about  twenty  years. 
Here,  in  his  latter  field  of  life  and  labors,  his  church  membership  was 
in  Cow.ee  Baptist  church,  where  he  was  nastor  about  all  th«j  time  dur- 
ing his  residence  in  Macon.  He  wns  pastor  of  Bnrningtown,  Frank-' 
lin,  Coweta,  Savanah  and    perhaps   others    in     Macon     and    Jackson    ' 


and  of  Brush  Creek  andCold    fcpring  in  what     is  now  Swain  county. 
He  once  went  and  attended  a  church  in  Haywood  county. 

His  influence  and  power  for  good  wTas  felt  all  over  these  western 
counties.  Such  was  his  zeal,  activity  and  success  that  he  became 
Moderator  and  Missionary  in  Tuckaseige  Association,  which  he  filled 
with  great  efficiency  to  the  rionor  of  his  high  calling  and  that  of  his 
denomination. 

His  home  influence  and  example  with  his  family  were  excellent, 
and  his  industry  in  manual  labor  on  his  farm  was,  we  know,  a  good 
model  for  his  church  and  people.  He  raised  a  large  family  of  chil- 
dren ol  whom  two  sons,  Josiah  and  Riley  became  ministers.  He  had 
plenty  of  this  world's  goods,  and  taught  by  precept  and  example,  his 
people  ,cTo  provide  things  honest  in  the  sight  of  all  men." 

Elder  Rickman,  by  his  natural  gifts  which  he  cultivated  and  by 
which  he  acquired  great  ability  in  public  -peaking,  made  him  un- 
usually entertaining  to  his  audiences. 

His  bright  face,  flashing  eye,  noble  voice,  rapid  but  distinct  utter- 
ance and  telling  gestures,  all  accompanied  with  the  spirit  in  melting 
tenderness,  made  Rickman  one  of  the  greatest  pulpit  orators  of  the 
mountains.  ' 

He  delivered  a  sermon  to  the  Western  Baptist  Convention,  in 
Waynesville;  in  1872,  that  a  competent  judge  said  exceeded  the  ser 
mon  of  one  of  the  most  noted  ministers  in  N.  C. 

But  a  disease,  known  as  bronchitis,  began  its  work  upon  this  de- 
voted servant,  and  his  hitherto  wonderful  lungs-gradually   gave  way. 

He  was  afflicted  for  several  months,  during  which  time  he  grew 
weaker  and  weaker  during  the  summer  of  1874.  During  his  latter 
weeks  of  suffering  he  reviewed  his  life  carefully, examininghis  preach- 
ing, and. was  heard  remark  that  he  felt  that  he  had  preached  the 
truth.  He  lingered  and  grew  lower  and  lower  until  Oct.  3rd,  1874, 
when  he  bade  adieu  to  earth  and  weeping  friends  and  passed  to  the 
Spirit  world,  and  his  body  wis  buried  near  his  church  he  loved  so 
well,  to  await  the  second  coming  of  his  Redeemer. 


U 18; 


%lder  TOark  IBBaj. 


Elder  Mark  May,  son  of  Fredrick  and  Nellie  May,  was  born  in 
Yadkin  county,  N.  C,  Dec.  7th,  1812.  He  was  married  to  Belinda 
Rearman  at  the  agi1  of  twenty -fr-ur  years.  Professed  faith  in  Christ 
in  his  twenty-seventh  year,  and  joined  the  Cross  Roads  Baptist  church, 
Yadkin  county,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Barton  Rabey,  and  or- 
dained to  the  ministry  shortly  afterwards.  His  qualifications  for 
the  ministry  were  very  limited  ;  but  he  applied  himself  to  the  study 
ol  Theology,  in  which  he  made  great  advancement. 

The  first  seventeen  years  of  hi*  gospel  ministry,  he  spent  in  Yad- 
kin and  adjoining  counties  in  the  pastorate  and  missionary  work. 
He  traveled  and  labored  for  three  successive  years  as  missionary,  and 
at  the  same  time  was  pastor  of  four  churches.  In  his  report  to  the 
Yadkin  Association,  in  1847,  we  find  that  he  labored  320  (lavs ;  trav- 
eled 2534  miles ;  preached  269  sermons;  baptized  185  persons;  re- 
ceived as  a  compensation  $147.77. 

We  also  find  that  during  one  other  year  of  his  labors  that  he  bap- 
tized three  hundred  persons.  This  was  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of 
his  age.  About  this  time  he  moved  to  the  western  part  of  the  State, 
where  he  lived  and  labored  the  remainder  of  his  life  except  two  years 
in  Tennessee. 

Duriug  his  ministry  in  Western  North  Carolina,  he  was  admired  as 
a  doctrinal  preacher,  having  but  few  if  any  equals. 

He  often  visited  Conventions,  Associations,  and  Union  meetings, 
where  he  many  times  charmed  his  hearers  by  his  eloquent  presenta- 
tion of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

His  home  for  many  years  was  in  Macon  county,  where  he    was    a 


Ui0) 

pattern  of  industry  as  a  minister  and  citizen,  and  his  name  is  familiar 
md  dear  to  hundreds  of  acquaintances  and  brethren  and  sisters- 

It  is  estimated  that  he  baptized  fifteen  hundred  persons  during  his 
ninistry  in  Western  North  Carolina. 

He  was  the  first  Clerk  of  the  Friendship  Baptist  Association,  now 
Tennessee  River,  as  he  was  a  member  of  that  body  for  a  few  years. 

In  connection  with  Elder  F.  M.  Morgan,  he  was  engaged  in  a  pro- 
racted  meeting  with  his  home  church  (Briar  Town.)  His  last  ser- 
non  was  preached  on  Thursday  before  his  death  ;  text  Ruth  1:16. 
This  sermon  was  one  of  his  best  efforts.  On  Saturday,  on  his  way  to 
:hurch,  he  was  taken  very  ill,  when  kind  friends  took  him  home. 

For  eight  hours  he  suffered  and  talked.  "God  be  near  me,"  he 
aid,  "My  only  hope  is  in  the  blood  of  Jesus."  "My  preaching  is 
lone.  I  was  born  to  die,  and  perhaps  as  well  now  as  any  time,"  and 
ifter  bidding  all  farewell,  he  died,  aged  73  years,  and  in  the  ministry 
16  years. 


■ 


120; 

irred  Au 
,  this  co 
irth  Su 
Mis 
ie?  and ' 
Our  sui 

bt,wi 

lis  indoc 
Elder  E.  D.  Brendle  was  born  in  Burke  county,  N.  C,    June    30th  Lne th 
1814.     He  was  brought  up  of  Dutch  parentage  on    a    farm.     He   ancjLnot' 
the  Brendle  family  resided  for  many  years  in  Haywood  county,  N.  GjL^]h 


Xlder  ILliaz  %,  brendle. 


He  was  given  a  common  school  education  and  taught  school  some  it 
his  early  youth.  Our  subject  was  converted  and  joined  the  Scotti^ 
(•reek  Baptist  church  in  what  is  now  Jackson  county,  N.  C,  Sept.  9th 
1845.  Here  Elder  Brendle' was  ordained  a  Deacon,  May  22nd,  1847 
and  subsequently  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  Nov.  26thjLcatj0| 
1853.  He  was  chosen  pastor  of  Scotts  Creek  church  at  the  time  o 
his  ordination. 

Elder  Brendle  was  married  to  Celinda  V.  Plott,  daughter  of  Heimhj^j 
and  Lyclia  Plott,  Nov.  4th,  1838.  His  wife  was  born  in  Haywood  Ly 
county,  N.  C,  June  6th,  1815.  She  was  converted  in  the  22nd  yeai 
of  her  age  and  joined  the  Waynesville  Baptist  church  and  was  bapl 
tized  in  Richland  Creek  in  1837.  So  Elder  Brendle  had  a  gooc()j] 
christian  companion  with  whom  to  battle  for  the  Master.  The} 
raised  7  children,  s-on  and  daughters.  L| 

Elder  Brendle  served  many  of  the  Jackson  county  churches  as  pas*,^*: 
tor  and  was  Moderator  of  the  Tuckasiege  Association  for  several  ses- 
sions. As  to  the  number  of  churches  he  aided  in  organizing,  thj 
number  of  preachers  he  helped  ordain  and  persons  who  were  baptized 
by  him  we  are  not  informed,  but  his  work  in  these  particulars abount 
in  Haywrood,  Macon,  Jackson  and  Swain  counties.  Bryeon  Citj 
church  was  largely  the  work  of  Eider  Brendle  aided  by  others.  He 
was  pastor  of  Charleston  church  Irom  the  tirst,  for  four  or    five   years. 

Our  subject  saw  sad  trouble  in  the  loss  of  his  first   wife,    which    oc 


mt  the  g 

pre 

ield  by  i 
He  lnv 
ucatioi 
Hewa 

ircliard  ■ 


He  m 

an 

feff! 


(121; 

urred  Aug.  7th,  1851,  leaving  him  with  a  family  of  small    children. 

n  this  condifion  of  bereavement,  Elder  Brendle  remained    until    the 

Durth  Sunday  in  May,  185t5,  when  he  was  again  united  in    matrimo- 

ly  to  Miss'Talitha  Paris,  a  christian  woman  oi  good,  agreeable  quali- 

ies  and  with  whom  jfye-gpent-his  remaining  da>&s  oruearth. 

Our  subject  was  a    warm-hearted,    industrious    minister    of    Jesus 

hrjst,  who  loved  his  calling,  striding  to  understand  his  duty,  and  by 

is  indomitable  energy  he  acquired  a  good   store    of  information    in 

ivine  things  which  he  was  fully  able  to  deal  out  to  his  hearers   in    a 

Vay  not  to  be  gainsayed.     His  discourses  were  plain  and  were  gener- 

Uy  delivered  with  strong  emotion  when  he    warmed    up    in    dealing 

Q>ut  the  gospel  of  our  greal  salvation.     He  was  a   strong   Baptist   and 

k'ften  preached  forcible  sermons  on  the  controverted   doctrinal    points 

leld  by  Baptists. 

He  loved  his  country  and  neighborhood  and  was  a  warm  friend  of 
ducation  which  he  faithfully  advocated. 

He  was  a  hard  worker,  when  at  home,  andr  made  the  farm  and 
rchard  yield  to  his  comfort.  The  Lord  blessed  our  dear  brother  by 
rhich  he  procured  a  handsome  living  for  himself  and  a  good  start 
or  his  children 

1    He  was  very  liberal  in  working  for  and  contributing  to   the   Lord's 
Pjause  and  his  house  was  the^home  of  the  stranger  and   the   Christian 
)ilgrim. 

He  was  humble  and  visited  the  poor.  He  was  charitable  and  kind 
md  so  filled  his  allotted  time  on  earth  suffering  affliction  for  consid- 
rable  time  before  his  death,  which  took  place,  December  17,  1886. 

J  no.  S.  Smiley. 


122, 


%<sv.  Wi.  H.  ©onnep. 
^UU.  WL.  111.  P5S8H! 

W.  H.  Connei,  son  of  Jacob  and  Massey  Conner,  was  born  in  Lin- 
coln county,  N.  C,  April  27th,  .182-7.  His  chances  for  an  education 
were  not  very  good,  but  he  could  read  and  write,  and  by  his  industry 
he  became  well  informed.  He  was  married  to  Rachel  Gibson,  who 
made  him  one  of  the  best  of  wives. 

This  happy  couple  were  well  matched  and  well  blessed.  The  Lord 
gave  them  a  large  family  of  sons  and  daughters.  In  1846  Young 
Conner  became  a  citizen  of  Western  N.  C.  He  professed  taith  in 
Christ  and  was  baptized  into  Lufty  Baptist  church  by  Elder  Jacob 
Mingus  in  June,  1847.  He  moved  his  membership  to  Shoal  Creek 
Baptist  church  in  1850,  where  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  in 
July  1858. 

Brother  Conner  subsequently  moved  his  membership  to  Shady 
Grove  Baptist  church  abcut  the  year  1860,  where  he  was  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  in  1861,  by  Elders 

From  this  time  forth,  Klder  Conner  led  an  active  lite  for  the  Master. 
He  labored  much  as  pastor  and  Evangelist,  in  the  counties  of  Jackson, 
Macon  and  Swain.  He  served  two  churches  in  Sevier  county,  Ten- 
nessee, as  pastor,  and  held  several  revivals  in  that  State  in  connec- 
tion with  Elder  Richard  Evans. 

Elder  Conner  was  also  a  warm  friend  and  co-laborer  with  Elder 
E.  D.  Brendle  with  whom  he  did  some  of  his  most  successful  revival 
work.  The  churches,  Lufty,  Shoal  Creek,  Savanah  and  Cowee  and 
Brush  Creek,  we  believe,  were  the  scenes  of  Elder  Conner's  most  ex- 
tensive pastorates  and  revivals.  He  was  a  most  popular  missionary 
to  the  Eastern  Band  of  Cherokee  Indians,  in  which  place  he  was  sue- 


cessful  in  eading  many  of  the  Indians  to  Christ,  as  the  minutes  ot 
the  Western  N.  C.  Baptist  Convention  will  show.  Elder  Conner 
dwelt  a  few  years  in  Macon  county  in  the  Oak  Grove  neighborhood., 
luring  which  time  his  membership  was  in  Cowee  Baptist  church. 

His  latter  years  from  about  1865  or  1866,  were  spent  on  the  Robert 
Collins  farm  on  the  head  of  Lufty  river,  where  he  had  become  pos- 
sessed of  about  1,200  acres  of  land,  and  which  was  his  home  until 
death.  Here  about  July  1885,  he,  -Jacob  like,  had  to  pan  with  his 
beloved  Rachel,  who  was  so  faithful  and  kind  and  good  From  his 
Lufty  home,  Elder  Conner  repeatedly,  for  different  terms,  served 
Cowee  church  as  pastor.     Here  his  faithful  services   as   pastor,    closed 

.in  March,  1887.     On  his  return  from  a  trip  to  Cowee  about  the  first  of 
March   1887,  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis  in   the  ford    Deep   Creek, 

•■  near  Bryson  City,  from  which  he  died  March  14th,  1887,  thus  ending 
a  life  of  thirty  years  in  the  ministry. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  had  been  married  to  Mary  Burnett  ior 
more  than  a  year  prior  to  his  decease.  His  loss  was  deeply  felt  by 
his  denomination  to  whom  he  was  true  as  steel. 

Elder  Conner  had,  during  his  career  in  the  Master's  work,  witness- 
ed about  1,500  professions  of  religion  and  baptized  1000  persons  into 
the  fellowship  of  the  church. 

He  was  hasty  in  temperament,  tender  and  pathetic  in  sympathy 
with  taller,  man  and  persuasive  in  his  appeals.  By  his  tender,  melt- 
ing nature,  generally  bathed  in  tears  and  burning  zeal  of  overflowing 

potll  and  aided  by  the  good  Spirit,  sinners  were  made  to  cry  for  mercy 
and  turn  to  the  Savior.     Many  of  the  most  useful  Christians  in  many 

'  of  the  churches  are  among  the  number  of  his  converts.     lie  rests  from 

;  his  labors  and  his  works  do  follow  him. 

J  no.  S.  Smiley. 


,124)  . 


6.  T>.  IBingus. 


Rev.  C.  B.  Mingus  was  the  son  of  Ephrairn  and  Sophia  Mingus. 
He  was  born  in  Haywood  county,  N.  C,  on  Raven's  Fork  of  Ocone 
Lufty,  Sept.  25th,  1823,  where  he  was  raised,  educated,  converted  to 
the  Lord  and  commenced  preaching  the  gospel. 

Our  subject  had  a  severe  struggle  to  get  loose  from  sin,  his  unbelief 
was  so  strong.  But  conviction  deepened  and  he  died  to  the  loye  of 
sin  and  was  made  alive  in  Christ,  and  forthwith  began  to  preach 
Christ.  He  first  joined  the  Methodists  but  remained  in  that  connec- 
tion but  a  short  time.  He  joined  the  Lufty  Baptist  church  on  Satur- 
day before  the  third  Sunday  in  May,  1846,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Jacob  Mingus,  on  the  third  Sunday  in   May  1846. 

Brother  Mingus  remained  in  Lufty  church,  -vhere  he  had  commenc- 
ed preaching,  until  the  third  Sunday  in  Sept.  1848,  when  he  removed 
his  membership  to  Locust  Field,  near  the  ford  of  Pigeon  river.  He 
married  Miss  M.  J.  Osborne  July  21st,  1858,  who  died  July  21st.  1859, 
without  children. 

In  his  latter  locality,  brother  Mingus  was  destined  to  do  a  great 
work  for  the  Lord.  He  was  ordained  June  12th,  1847,  by  .  Elders 
Wm.  Haynes,  Thomas  Henson.  Josh    Ammons  and  Jno.    Haynes. 

Here  he  served  the  churches  as  pastor  for  which  place  he  was  well 
qualified,  and  for  a  long  time  was  the  only  Baptist  preacher  in  Hay- 
wood county.  Many  ot  the  noble  churches  of  that  county  and  some 
of  her  best  Baptist  preacheis  are  the  outgrowth  of  Elder  Mingus'  labors. 
Elder  Mingus  served  his  Association,  Tuckaseige,  as  Moderator  for 
several  sessions.,  and  was  very  popular  with  his  people. 

He  lost  his  first  wife  and  married  Miss  Rebecca   A.    Young,   March 


l«5) 

6th,  1864.  who  kindly  and  faithfully  aided   our   brother    to    raise    his 
dear  ehildremand  encourage  him  in  his  Master's  work,  for  sister  Min 
gus  is  truly  one  of  the  best  women  in  Western  North  Carolina.  Seven 
children  make  up  the  family. 

Our  brother  was  slow  to  lay  hands  on  men  for  ordination,  believing, 
as  he  expressed  hims  If,  that  it  was. not  necessary  to  ordain  Eiders  or 
Bishops  until  some  church  actually  needed  and  demanded  their  labors 
as  such. 

Brother  Mingus  faithfully  served  Bryson  City  church  two  years, 
being  succeeded  by  Elder  G.  H.  Church  in  Feb.,  1890,  a  few  months 
before  his  death.  He  was  in  bad  health  for  twenty  years,  and  for 
that  length  of  time  had  been  expecting  his  demise.  He  was  sound, 
able  and  faithful  as  a  preacher  to  the  close  of  life,  when  he  met  death 
as  a  christian  at  7:40  p   m  ,  April  4th,  1800. 


U2<j; 


'Elder  Jaeob  IBOingus, 

This  faithful  servant  was  raised  or  partly  so  and  did  most  of  his 
work  as  a  minister  while  on  Oconee  Lufty  and  a  member  of  said 
church. 

He  served  Lufty  as  a  pastor  for  a  period  01  about  twenty  years.  Ho 
served  Cold  Spring  for  three  months  as  pastor  in  1851,  soon  after 
which  time  he  moved  to  Missouri  and  died  in  a  few  years. 

Elder  ^aeob   Stillwell. 

This  brother  was  ordained  in  Lufty  and  did  work  for  tiie  Master 
in  some  parts  of  Western  North  Carolina  and  removed,  we  think,  to 
Texas.  He  was  one  among  the  first  preachenl  in  the  territory  of 
Tennessee  Kiver  Baptist  Association. 

"Elder  Igoung  %,mmonz. 

This  aged  minister  of  Jesus  was  entitled  to  a  sketch  in  our  History, 
hut  the  writer  was  unable  to  obtain  necessary  information  for  sue}}. 

Young  Amnion?  was  a  brother  to  the  noted  Joshua  Amnions,  of 
Macon  county.  N.  C,  and  of  one  of  the  best  families  in  the  western 
part  of  the  state. 

We  think  that  he  was  born  in  Buncombe  county.  N.  ( \,  and  was 
over  lour  score  years  old  at  his  death,  which  took  place  about  the  year 
1887,  dying  as  the  christian  dies.  We  think  he  commenced  his  min- 
istry in  Tennessee  and  was  in  that  work  forty  or  fifty  years. 

The  closing  days  of  his  life  were  spent  in  Panther  Creek  Baptist 
church  of  Tennessee  River  Association  where  he  lived  as  a  dutiful 
citizen. 

He  raised  a  large  family  of  children  and  filled  a  long  life  of  trials 
and  struggles,  as  many  do,  and  finally  and  patiently  .ojjeyed  the  sum- 
mons* of  his  master  to  rest  from  his  labors,  and  fell  asleep  with  his 
fathers  to  awake  to  the  last  trump. 


12' 


-  %hz  Winter* z  Mumble  H^perienee. 

The  writer,  son  and  oldest  child  of.  lie v,  J.  M.  and  Annie  Smiley, 
was  born  in  liutherford  county,  N.  C,  ton  miles  east  of  iiutheribrdton 
|on  the  waters  of  Robensoirs  Creek,  Nov.  11,  1843. 

His  iather  moved  to  Watauga  creek  in  Macon  county,  N,  C,  in  De- 
cember, 1845,  in  which  settlement  he  entered  his  son  into  school  in 
the  first  part  of  his  sixth  year.  But  little  schooling  fell  to  his  lot, 
being  about  twelve  months  in  the  iog  school  house  of  common  county 
schools,  during  his  single  life. 

|  After  marriage  the  writer  attended  Normal  Schools  for  the  benefit 
■f  teachers  about  ten  vyeeks,  which,,  added  to  that  of  his  home  im- 
provement, makes  up  the  amount  of  his  education.  So  it,  may  be 
truly  said  that  his  education  is  limited  to  a  Common  School  English 
Education.  The  writer  was  hn  ughi  up  on  the  farm  and  taught  to  till 
jthe  earth  for  a  living. 

He  volunteered  as  a  soldier  in  the  Confederate  service  in  Company 
E.  8S-)  N,  C  Regiment  in  Dec.  1861,  and  served  in  that  eouimand  and 
■nomas'  Legion  until  the  war  closed,  April  1865. 

He  was  not  so  much  exposed  to  bullets  as  some  of  his  comrades  in 
arms,  owing  to  assignments  by  his  very  worthy  Col.,  David  Coleman, 
wvho  made  him  a  lifer  of  the  regiment,  in  consequence  or  which  he 
was  not  requiied  to  bear  arms. 

He  was  never  exposed  to  but  two  noted  engagements,  the  eight 
jsk-ys  siege  of  Jackson,  Mississippi  in  July,  1863,  and  the  celebrated 
fcattie  of  Chickamauga,  Ga..  19th  and  20th  of  September,  1868.  Here, 
6u  this  battle,  under  Gen.  Braxton  Bragg,  providence  provided  for 
lis  escape  from  much  of  the  deadly  st<  rrn  of  battle  by  his   brave    Col 


(128, 

onel  detailing  him  to  take  care  of  hi.-  horse  during  the  _  conflict, 
specially  charging  the  writer  not  to  expose  himself  to  the  battle.  God 
took  care  of  the  unworthy  writer  through  all  the  war  struggle,  and  he 
has  been  spared,  he  hopes,  for  some  good  purpose,  while  eight  of  his 
intimate  associates  and  schoolmates  were  slain  in  battle  and  two  of 
them  seriously  wounded. 

He  married  Happuch  Matilda,  daughter  of  John  S.  and  Martha  A. 
Gibson,  July  26th,   1866. 

Starting  life  in  the  common  poverty  of  the  times,  he  took  up  the 
honorable  occupations  of  the  farm  and  that  of  teaching  school.  While 
he  has  been  poor  in  purse,  he  has  been  made  rich  in  blessed  gifts 
from  the  good  Lord,  he  and  his  dear  wife  having  been  given  six  sons 
and  six  daughters. 

He  gained  an  humble  hope  in  Christ  near  Clinton,  Tennessee,  in 
April,  1862,  and  joined  the  Cowee  Baptist  church,  Macon  county,  X. 
C,  January  1863,  and  was  baptized  in  McGaha  prong  of  Cowee  creek; 
by  Elder  Merritt  Rick  man.  His  church  membership  was  transferred 
to  Cold  Spring  Baptist  church  in  Feb-  1865. 

He  had  impressions  to  exercise  in  public  in  preachidg  not  very 
long  after  he  joined,  but  did  not  make  such  an  attempt  untii  Septem- 
ber, 1871. 

Ris  first  text  was  in  Psalms  62:8. 

Long,  and  halting  between  two  opinions,  he  often  tried  to  wave 
the  ministerial  duty  by  studying  on  politics,  desiring  much  to  be- 
come a  Statesman,  and  was  twice,  defeated  for  office  in  his  native 
county,  which  about  mortified  ail  nis  hopes  aud  political  aspirations, 
resulting  in  an  end  of  those  inward  longings,  which  was  doubtless  for. 
his  religious  good.  Meanwhile,  he  continued  occasional  exercises  by 
way  of  preaching  and  alter  being  urged  and  advised  by  many  of  ins 
brethren  and  sisters,  ministers  and  others,  he  finally  submitted*  and 
was  licensed  by  Cold  Spring  church  in  July  1876. 

lie.  believes  in  a  divine  call  to  the  ministry,  and  whenever  hie  faith 
grew  a  little  weak,  or  when  the  impressions  relaxed  to  some  extent, 
as  they  sometimes  did,  or  when    he    would    preach  and  did    not    wit- 


-  l 


129 


ness  results  immediately,  he  was  often  led to'conclude  that  he  iiad  un- 
dertaken tlie  wrong  task,  and  theu  was  ready  to  quit  preaching,  tor 
he  never  doubted  the  reality  of  the  Christian  religion,  or  the  divine 
call  or  impressions  to  the  ministry,  but  he  has  often  doubted  himself. 
Having  become  connected  with  Charleston  Baptist  church  in  1878,  a 
church  then  in  its  iufancy,  being  about  a  year  old  when  he  joined  it, 
he  was  induced  by  pastor,  E;  1).  Brendle  and  others,  to  accept  the 
ofiice  of  deacon  to  which  he  was  soon  ordained. 

Now  he  hoped  that  he  might  content  himseli  and  turn  his  atten- 
tion to  the  deacon's  duties  and  he  no  more  a  preacher,  but  this  made 
no  excuse  and  so  he  continued  to  try  to  preach.  Time  and  again 
had  he  been  spoken  to  in  regard  to  ordination  to  the  ministry,  but 
would  not  consent  until  after  he  went  before  ani  Examining  Board  of 
ministers  of  Tuckaseige  Baptist  Association  whose  business  it  was, 
not  to  ordain,  but  to  encourage  young  gifts,  and:  to  recommend  them 
to  their  churches  for  ordination  when  they  found  them  qualified  lor 
the  divine  work.  This,  which  took  place  in-  Aug.  1880,  at  Coweta 
church,  was  one  of  the  most  strengthening  props,  and  the  examina- 
tion of  those  worthy  brethren  and  lathers  in  the  ministry,  E.  D. 
Brendle  and  I.  D.t  Wright,  and  the  noble  hearted  young  Elder,  8.  H. 
Harrington  was  the  turning  point  oi  his  resolves  touching  the  minis- 
try. His  christian  experience,  divine  call  to  preach  and  literary  at- 
tainments, particularly,  his  knowledge  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Bible, 
all  proving  satisfactory  to  the  Board,  led  him  to  fully  decide  to  do  his 
duty  by  continuing  in  the  ministry  and  to  submit  to  ordination 
when  his  church  saw  proper  to  set  him  forward,  and  upon  a  call  ol 
the  Charleston  church  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Christ- 
ian ministry  by  a  presbytery,  consisting  of  Elders  E.  D.  Brendle,  W. 
H.  Conner,  A.  A.  Justice,  J.  M.  Smiley  and  J.  U.  Salts,  December  19th, 
1881.  By  the  act  tof  his  ordination,  the  writer  was  still  more  fully 
strengthened  and  built  up  in  soul  to  follow  the  Master,  Jesus,  wher- 
ever he  says  go,  as  opportunity  permits;  and  only  in  duty  is  he 
blessed,  and  a  gracious  Savior  and  Comforter  has  dispelled  many  of 
his  former  doubts  and  fears,  but  he  has  learned  not    to   trust    in    the 


(.130; 

flesh  nor  the  will  of  man.  He  bss  aided  in  organizing  a  few  churches 
and  ordaining  a  few  de?  x>ns,  ministers,  and  has  served  as  pastor 
about  six  years,  but  it  se  sms  that  most  ot  Irs  reJ'gions  usefulness  is 
yet  to  come,  if  come  it  ever  docs. 

He  was  Clerk  of  Cold  Spring  church  a  few  vears  and  was  also  Clerk 
ol  Tennessee  River  Baptist  Association  in  1872  and  1873,  and  filled 
the  same  again,  in  1883  and  1884.  He  has  served  as  messenger  to 
the  Western  North  Carolina  Baptist  Convention  for  six  years  at  ditier- 
ent  periods,  commencing  his  first  service  thus  at  Cowee  in  Septem- 
ber 1876.  He  loves  the  Baptist  institutions,  churches,  Associations, 
schools  and  pei'odicals,  and  always  labors  for  their  upbuilding  and 
encourrgement  from  his  scanty  purse,  pen  and  tongue.  He  is  also 
deeply  impressed  with  missionary  sentiments,  believing  it  to  be  the 
high  privilege  and  duty  of  the  church  and  ministry  to  support  the 
gospel  at  home  and  send  it  abroad  so  as  to  bring  the  lost  sinner  and 
heathen  to  Christ.  He  was  chosen  the  first  historian  of  his  Associa- 
tion in  1876,  and  has  labored  in  getting  up  this  volume  for  abuvt 
nine  years  at  intervals,  having  commenced  the  work  in  January  1877. 

As  teach«r  of  schools,  the  writer  commenced  in  August,  1867,  and 
taught  a  few  weeks,  followed  in  teaching  a  few  weeks  in  1868.  Bu 
it  was  not  until  ^wain  county  was  organised  that  his  teaching  car 
took  permanent  shape,  He  commenced  teaching  in  Charlf  ston  D 
trict  in  the  first  public  schools  of  Swain  county,  N, \;(\,  Oc»\  9,  1371, 
and  has  taught  in  different  public  schools  of  the  county  for  sixteen 
years.  He  taught  a  school  in  Rabun,  fla.,  in  1875.  Summing  up 
his  school  lists  of  different  pupils  they  run  to  about  six  or  seven  hun- 
dred. Without  solicitation  on  his  part,  the  Wilier  w?s  chc  ;en  County 
Examiner  by  the  Board  >f  Education  of  Swain  county,  N.  C,  in  July,t 
1878,  took  the  United  States  census  in  Nantahala  township  in  June] 
1880,  and  was  chosen  the  first  County  Superintendent  of  Public  In- 
struction of  Swain  county,  June  6,  1881,  to  which  place  he,  always 
without  soliciting  on  hie  part,  his  worthy  county  authorities  upon 
whon*  the  election  devolved,  five  times  chose  him  in  succession.     The1 

i 


(131) 

work  of  the  sujjerintendency  has  been  blessed  in  his  hands,  but  it  was 
not  executed  without  some  severe  trials  and  arduous  duties.  He  has 
instruct  1  about  200  teachers,  or  students  for  such,  in  eight  Teachers' 
Institutes  and  examin  J  about  the  same  number  of  teachers  and  vis- 
ited the  public  schools  of  the  county  seven  years,  traveled  more  than 
1,400  miles  on  such  duti-  -,  and  addressed  and  encouraged  about  400 
pupiR 

The  educational  lite  of  the  writer  is  interwoven  with  the  history  ot 
Swain  county,  N.  C,  from  its  existence,  being  now  twenty  years,  ten 
of  which  he  served  as  Examiner,  County  Superintendent  and  Secreta- 
ly  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  while  he  realizes  his  weakness  and 
shortcomings,  he  can  but  feel  some  degree  oi  pride  in  his  educational 
history,  and  humbly  hopes  that  upon  the  humble  foundation  he  has 
thus  been  enabled  to  lay  for  the  dear  children  of  his  county,  that  a 
far  brighter  day  and  greater  degiee  of  prosperity  may  dawn  upon  the 
succeeding  schools  and  those  entrusted  with  their  guidance. 


(1H2> 

REVIEW  OP  TWELVE  MINISTERS'  LIVES  IN     WESTELN     NC.KTH     CAROLINA 

Humphrey  Posey,  aged  66  years,  in  the  ministry  42  years; 

David  Elder,  aged  about  56  years,  in  the  ministry  about  20  years; 

James  Kimzey,  aged  66  years,  in  the  ministry  40  years; 

Samuel  Gibson,  aged  83  years,  in  the  ministry  44  years; 

Merritt  Rickman,  aged  62  years,  in  the  ministry  38  years; 

Allen  Ammons,  aged  60  years,  in  the  ministry  34  years; 

I   T.  S.  Sherrill,  aged  74  years,  in  the  ministry  44  years; 

C.  B.  Mingus,  aged  66  years,  in  the  ministry  44   years; 

E.  D.  Brendle,  aged  72  years,  in  the  ministry  33  years; 

Mark  May,  aged  73  years,  in  the  ministry  46  years; 

W.  H.  Conner,  aged  60  years,  in  the  ministry  30  years; 

J.  M.  Smiley,  aged  60  years,  in  the  ministry  25  years ; 

The  average  ages  of  the  above  named  brethren,  without  using  th< 
fractional  parts,  was  63  years;  average  terms  in  the  ministry  during 
life,  36  years ;  average  ages  at  commencement  in  the  ministry  was  2' 
years. 

By  the  foregoing,  we  conclude  that  the  average  life  of  a  minister  ii 
about  sixty  and  the  average  term  in  the  ministry  is  about  thirty  fiv< 
vears. 


/ 


UK 


mih 
Ik 


tVlli 


(.133) 


Miscellaneous  Supplement, 

"DISTINCTIVE  BAPTIST  MARKS,"  "ESSENTIAL  ELEMENTS 
1)F   A    CHURCH;"   "BAPTIST    ASSOCIATIONS— WHAT    THEY 
ARE,"     CONSTITUTION  OF  THE   ASSOCIATION    AND    OF    W. 
ST.  C.  CONVENTION,  SOUTHERN  B.   .  ONVENTION,  DELIBER- 
ATIVE ASSEMBLY  GUIDE*  ETC. 

DISTINCTIVE     BAPTIST    MARKS*. 

1.  The  Bible  is  the  sole  aud  sufficient  rule  in  all  matters  of  religion 
— to  the  exclusion  of  human  traditions. 

2.  A  regenerate  membership — to  the  exclusion  of  irresponsible  chil- 
dren and   confessedly  unsaved  persons  fro  in  our  churches. 

8.  Each  church  is  an  independent  body,  owning  Christ  only  as 
Head  and  with  only  executive  powers— to  the  exclusion  of  all  human 
authorities,  ecclesiastical  powers  in  ''Councils,"  •'Synods,"  and  the 
Ike,  and  of  all  human  legislation. 

4.  The  eqira  ity  of  the  members — to  the  exclusion  of  all  grades, 
distinctions  and  dignities,  which  are  the  creations  of  human    pride. 

5.  The  equality  of  the  ministry — to  the  exclusion  of  all  human 
masteries  and  chief  ministers  and  clerical  orders  introduced  by  Rom" 
and  her  copyists. 

6.  The  ordinances,  in  number  order,  subject,  administrator  and 
symbolism,  kept  as  delivered  in  solemn  charge  by  Christ  and  his 
-Apostles. 


u«4; 

ESSffiJiT-IAL  ELEMENTS  OF  A  CHURCH. 

I.  Scriptural  Origin.— By  Christ  himself  while  on  earth  Dan  241 
Matt.  3.2;  16:18,  and  18:17. 

II.  Scriptural  Polity.— Not  Presbyterial  nor  Episcopal,   but    a  pure 
Democracy,  Government  in  the  hands  of  the   people,    and    not    of    a 
privileged  class.     Matt.  18:17;  Acts  1:26;    6:  1-8;  15:22,   and    chapters     U* 
5  and  6  of  1.  Cor.  II  „A 

III.  Scriptural  Membership— Terms  of:  1,  Regeneration,  evidenced 
by  repentance  and  frith;  and  2,  Baptism,  immersion  in  water  by  an 
authorized  administrator.  Mk.  16:15 ;  John  3:8 -and  5;  Acts  8:35 
and  Acts  16. 

^   IV.  Scriptural  Officers  —1.     The  Spiritual  Ministrv,  variously  call- 
ed Bishops,  Elders,  etc.,  and  2.     The   Temporal    Ministry.    Deacons 
No  grades  in  the  Ministry.     1.  Pet.  5:1;  1.    Tim.  3:1,    Acts  20:17   and 
28.     Qualifications    for    only    these    two  classes  of  officers  given   by 
Paul  in  Tim.  and  Titus. 

V.  Scriptural  Ordinances.  -Immersion,  in  water,  of  a  believer  bv 
the  authority  of  a  Gospel  Church.  Matt.  3:13— end,  and  Acts  8:35— 
end,  and  Rom.  6:3-5.  Lord's  Supper,  as  a  memento  of  the  manner 
of  Christ's  death,  approachable  only  by  members  of  Gospel  Churches 
as  above  described,  section  III  Luke  22:19  and  20;  Matt  28-19  and 
20;  Acts  2:37—42  and  1.  Cor.  11:23-26. 

VI.  Scriptural  Doctrines.  -All  Scriptural  doctrines.— All  Scriptur- 
al doctrines  included,  and  all  human  traditions  excluded   Rev     22-18 
and  19;  Mk.  7:7  and  1313;    11.  Tim.  3:16.     Heb,  13:9  and   11.     T 
3  :  16.     Heb.  13:9  and  11.  Tim.  1:13,  "^ 

Scriptural  History.— Continuous  from  the  davs  of  the  Apost'es 
Dan.  2:44;  Matt.  16:18.  Testimony  of  Pedodiaptists  confirms  the 
same.  A  Wilderness  Epoch.  Rev.  12:14.  Not  -Apostolic  Succes- 
sion,"  or  any  succession  at  all,  strictly  speaking  but  merely  this  • 
That  the  cardinal  principles  and  practices  of  Baptists  are  of  New  Tes- 
tament origin  and  that  they  have  never  been  extinct  at  any  period  of 


by 

in 


the  Christian  era. 


(Uft) 

BAPTIST     ASSOCIATIONS.-— WHAT  THEY  A  HE. 

Baptist  Associations  are  Baptist  brotherhoods  of  churches  organized 
for  tne  purpose  of  united  efforts  in  the  work  of  extending  the  Redeem- 
er's kingdom  in  the  world. 

They  are  also  Advisory  Councils  to  advise  for  the  general  good  of 
the  cause  among  the  churches  whose  servants  they  are,  but  thev  have 
no  coercive  power,  and  consequently  can  pass  no  laws  binding  upon 
the  churches. 

Associations  are  creatures  of  the  churches,  made  up  of  messengers 
chosen  from  each  in  such  numbers  as  the  churches  may  choose,  and 
should  always  consist  of  ail  the  ministers  belonging  to  the  churches, 
especially,  and  the  deacons  and  others  whom  the  churches  may  think 
suitable  counceliors.  Churches  may  or  may  not  send  messengers  to 
an  Association  as  each  church  is  an  independent  body  accountable  to 
no  one  but  Christ,  but  when  good  advice  is  given  by  an  Association 
churches  should  regard  it.  Associations  have  no-power  to  hear  ap- 
peals from  the  churches  as  no  appeal  can  lie  taken  irom  a  church,  so 
also,  in  regard  to  ordaining  ministers,  receiving,  dismissing  and  dis- 
ciplining members  of  the  church,  they  have  no  power  further  than  to 
advise  in  such  cases  A  Baptist  Association  ha-  tin-  right  to  encour- 
age good  order  and  sound  doctrine  and  to  withdraw  irom  churches 
which  deviate  from  these. 

The  Author, 
constitution  of  tennessee  riveu  association. 

Article  1.  'This  association  shall,  be  called  the  Tennessee  River  As- 
sociation. 

Art.  2.  The  association  shall  be  composed  of  male  members  chosen 
by  the  respective  churches  in  our  union,  duly  sent  to  represent  them 
in  the  Association,  and  upon  their  producing  certificates  from  their 
respective  churches,  certifying  their  appointment,  their  churches  hav- 
ing complied  with  this  constitution,  they  shall  be  entitled  to  seats  in 
the  body. 

art.  8.   In  the  certificates  shall  be  expressed  the  number  baptized, 


(136j 

received  by  letter,  restored,  dismissed,  excluded  and  died  since  last 
Association.  Also  the  number  of  teachers  and  pupiis  in  Sunday 
schools,  the  time  of  prayer  meeting,  amount  of.,  their  pastor's  salary, 
his  name,  their  postoffice,  the  number  of  ordained  ministers  and 
licentiates,  the  contribution,  the  total  number  oi  members. 

Art.  4.  This  Association  shall  have  no  power  to  lord  it  over  God's 
heritage,  nor  shall  it  infringe  upon  any  of  the  internal  rights  of  any 
church  in  the  union  ;  but  this  shall  not  be  construed  to  prevent  the 
Association  from  encouraging  a  sound*- and  able  ministry,  or  dis- 
couraging an  ignorant,  unsound  and  disorderly  one. 

Art.  5.  This  Association  snail  have  a  moderator,  clerk,  historian 
and  treasurer  ;  the  moderator  and  clerk  to  be  elected  by  absolute 
majorities.     Historian  and  Treasurer  m  any  way  the  body  may  direct. 

Art.  6.  This  Association  shall  have  the  right  to  determine  what 
churches  shall  be  admitted  as  members  of  the  body. 

Art.  7.  This  Association  shall  have  the  right  to  withdraw  her  fel- 
lowship from  any  church  for  not  complying  with  her  constitution,  or 
for  violating  the  orthodox  principles  of  the  gospel. 

Ai  t.  8.  The  moderator  shall  always  have  the  Articles  of  Faith, 
Constitution  and  Rules  of  Decorum  at  the  meetings  oi'  the  body. 

Art.  9.  This  constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote  of  the  members  present. 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 


THURSDAY. 

1.  Singing,  prayer  and  introductory,  recess. 

2.  Singing  and  prayer,  call  to  order,  appoint  leading  clerk 

3.  Call  roll  of  churches  and  enroll  delegates. 

4.  Elect  officers. 

5.  Appoint  committees,  as  follows  : 

1.  Religious  Exercises. 

2.  Obituaries  and  Changes. 

3.  Time  and  Place,  Introductory,  etc. 


(137) 

4.  Temperance. 

5.  Home  Missions. 

6.  Foreign  Missions. 

7.  Conventional  Missions. 

8.  Education, 

9.  Sunday  Schools. 

10.  Periodicals. 

11.  Finance. 

42.  Minister's  Names  and  Addresses. 
13.  Miscellany. 

FRIDAY  AND  SATURDAY, 

1.  Singing  or  reading  and  prayer. 

2.  Call  roll,  read  minutes,  etc. 

3.  Call  for  correspondents. 

4.  (;all  for  report  of  committees  in  order. 

5.  Call  for  report  of  historian. 

6.  Call  for  report  of  treasurer. 

7.  Arrange  Sabbath  preaching,  collection,  etc. 

8.  Appoint  delegates  to  Western  Baptist  Convention. 

9.  Instruct  clerks  as  to  the  minutes,  etc. 

10.  Miscellany,  resolutions,  etc. 

11.  Read  minutes  and  closing  exercises, 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA   BAP~ 
TIST   CONVENTION. 

ARTICLE  1. 

This  body  shall  be  called,  the  Western  North  Carolina  Baptist  Con- 
vention, and  shall  hold  its  meetings  annually  and  at  such  times  and 
places  as  shall  be  appointed  at  previQus  meeting. 

ARTICLE    II. 

The  object  of  this  Convention  shall  be:  The  distribution  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures  among  the  destitute  ;  the  sustentation  of  Home,  For- 
eign and  Conventional  Missions  and  Church! building;  the  education 
of  the  poor  young  men,  called  of  God    to    the   Gospel    ministry;     the 


U38) 

fostering  of  Baptist  institutions  ol  learning  within  its  bounds  ;  Sab- 
bath-schools ;  the  dissemination  of  religious  literature  and  temper- 
ance. 

ARTICLE    ill. 

The  funds  appropriated  for  these  objects  shall  be  kept  distinct  from 
each  other  and  faithfully  applied  according  to  the  desire  of  the  <_-on- 
tributors. 

article  [V. 

By  paying  into  the  treasury,  annually,  the  sum  of  $5,  any  Baptist 
church,  association,  society,  or  individual,  shall  be  entitled  to  one 
representative,  who  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  a  Baptist  church, 
and  tor  the  sum  of  $30  the  representative  shall  be  constituted  a  life 
member. 

ARTICLE     V.  I 

This  body  shall  annually  elect,  by  ballot,  a  President,  1st  and  2nd 
Vice  Presidents,  Recording  Secretary,  Treasurer,  Auditor,  and  Histor- 
ian. Provided,  however,  that  all  officers  after  the  President,  may  be 
elected  viva  voce.  All  Officers  shall  remain  in  office  till  their  success- 
ors are  chosen. 

ARTICLE  vi . 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  at  all  meetings  of 
the  Convention,  sign  all  orders;  and  in  the  absence  of  the  President, 
this  duty  shall  devolve  on  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents,  according  to 
the  order  ol  appointment.  The  Secretary  shall  preserve  a  faithful 
record  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  body,  and  conduct  the  correspond- 
ence therefor,  The  treasurer  shall  give  bond  and  approved  security 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  shall  hold  all  the  funds  of 
the  Convention  subject  to  its  orders,  and  shall  submit  an  annual  re- 
port of  all  his  receipts  and  expenditures,  the  same  to  be  audited  and 
published  in  the  minutes.  The  Historian  shall  keep  a  complete  file 
of  the  minutes  of  this  body,  and  shall  record,  in  a  book  kept  for  the 
purpose,  fkets,  historical, liiographical,  and  incidental,   and    whatever 


is  likely  to  be  of  special  use  to  the  future  Historian,  and  shall  read 
his  record  annually  in  open  -Convention,,  which  when  approved,  shall 
be  considered  authentic  history. 

A  l  TirLK   VII. 

This  body  shall  at  each   annual    meeting,    appoint    the    following 

Boards:  A  Board  of  Conventional  and  Sunday  School  Missions  of 
23  members  10  of  Whom  shall  reside  in  Asheviliej  7  of  whom  shall 
constitute  a  quorum  to  transact  business,  located  at  Asheville ;  a 
Boaid  oi  Ministerial  Education  of  11  members,  3  of  whom,  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum  to  transact  business  located  at  Asheville  to  whom 
shall  be  committed  the  respective  departments  of  the  Convention's 
work  during  its  recess.  These  Boards  shall  each  present  to  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Convention  a  well  digested  report  of  the  work  in  charge. 

ARTICLE    VIII. 

•This  body,  through  Us  proper  officers,  will  co-operate  with  the 
boards  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  in  tin*  prosecution  of  its 
common  work, 

AJniei.K  IX, 

This  Convention  may  employ  any  agency  by  whirl)  the  objects 
contemplated  in  its  organization  may  be  accomplished, 

AJiTtCLE    \, 

Any  alteration  may  be  made  in  this  Constitution  by  a  vote  of 
two-thirds  of  its  members  present  at  any  annual  meeting. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

This  body  shall  be  governed  by  v'Mell's  Manual  of  Parliamentary 
Practice," 

ARTICLE    Xii, 

Whenever  the.  minutes  of  the  C0nv.en.ti9n  are  printed-  j^.ccpy  of 
this  Constitution  shall  be  printed  therein. 

ARTICLE     XIII. 

The  Bscal  year  of  this  Convention  shall  close  on  this  the;.  15th  day 
of  October,  and  the  Secretary's  and  Treasurer-^  reports  shall  bear  date 
iccordinglv.  - 


(140) 
CONSTITUTION. 

We,  the  delegates  from  missionary  societies,  churches  and  other  re- 
ligious bodies  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  various  parts  of  the 
United  States,  met  in  convention  in  the  city  oi  Augusta,  Georgia,  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect  the  benevolent  intentions  of  our 
constituents,  by  organizing  a  plan  for  eliciting,  combining  and  direct- 
ing the  energies  of  the  whole  denomination  in  one  sacred  effort  for 
the  propagation  of  the  gospel,  agree  to  the  following  rules  or  funda- 
mental principles  : 

Art.  I.  This  body  shall  be  styled  the  "Southern  Baptist  Conven- 
tion.' 


Art.  II.  It  shall  be  the  design  of  this  Convention  to  promote  for- 
eign and  domestic  missions,  and  other  important  objects  connected 
with  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  to  combine  for  this  purpose  such 
portions  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  United  States  as  may  de- 
sire a  general  organization  for  Christian  benevolence,  which  shall 
fully  respect  the  independence  and  equal  rights  of  the  churches. 

Art.  III.  The  Convention  shall  consist  (1)  of  brethren  who  con- 
tribute funds,  or  are  delegated  by  Baptist  bodies  contributing  funds 
for  the  regular  work  of  the  Convention,  on  the  basis  of  one  delegate 
for  every  S250  actually  paid  into  the  treasuries  of  the  Boaids  during 
fiscal  year,  ending  the  30th  day  of  April  next  preceding  the  meeting 
of  the  Convention  j  (2)  of  on -t  representative  from  each  of  the \ District 
Associations  which  co-operate  with  this  Convention,  provided^that 
such  representative  be  formally  elected  by  his  District  Association  and 
his  election  certified  to  the  Secretaries  of  the  Convention,  either  in 
writing  or  by  a- copy  of  the  printed  Minutes;  and  (8)  of  one  represent, 
ative  for  every  $500  collected  and  expended  conjointly  with  either  of 
the  Boaids  of  this  Convention,  by  any  State  Convention  or  General \  tl0! 
Association.  • 

Art.  IV.  The  officers  of  this  Convention  shall  be  a  President,  four 
Vice-Presidents,  a  Treasurer,  an  Auditor,  who  shall    in   event   of  the 


death  or  disability  of  the  Treasurer,  act  as  such  officer,  and  two  Secre-IU?! 


tun'* 

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(141) 

laries,  who  shall  be  elected  at  each  annual  meeting,  and  hold  their 
offices  until  a  new  election  ;  and  the  officers  of  the  Convention  shall  be, 
'each  by  virtue  of  his  office,  members  of  the  several  Boards, 

Art.  V.  The  Convention  shall  elect  at  each  annual  meeting  as 
many  Boards  of  Managers  as  in  its  judgement  will  be  necessary  for 
carrying  out  the  benevolent  objects  it  may  determine  to  promote — all 
which  Boards  may  continue  in  office  until  a  new  election.  Each 
Board  shall  consist  of  a  President,  Vice-President,  Secretaries,  Treas- 
urer, Auditor,  and  fifteen  other  members,  seven  of  whom,  including 
one  or  more  of  the  officers,  shall  form  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business.  To  each  Board  shall  be  committed,  during  the  recess  of  the 
Convention  the  entire  management  of  all  the  aftairs   relating    to    the 

1  objects  with  whose  interest  it  shall  be  charged,  all  of  which    manage- 

I  ment  shall  be  in  strict  accordance  with  the    constitutional    provisions 

;  adopted  by  this  Convention,  and  such  other  instructions  as  may  be 
given  from  time  to  time.     Each  Board  shall  have  power  to  make  such 

I  compensation  to  its  Secretaries  and  Treasurer  as  it  may  think  right, 
fill  the  vacancies  occurring  in  its  own  body,  and  enact  its  own  By- 
laws. 

Art.  VI.  The  Treasurer  of  each  Board  shall  faithfully  account  for 
all  moneys  received  by  him,  keep  a  regular  entry  oi  all  receipts  and 
disbursements,  and  make  report  of  them  to  the  Convention  whenever 
it  shall  be  in  session,  and  to  his  Board  as  often  as  required.     He  shall 

I  also,  on  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  give  competent  security 
to  the  President  oi  the  Board  for  all  the  stock  and  funds  committed 
to  his  care.     His  books  shall  be  open  at  all  times  to  tne  inspection    of 

f  any  member  of  the  Convention  and  of  his  Board.  No  moneys  shall 
be  paid  out  of  any  of  the  treasuries  of  the  Board  but  by  an  order 
from  that  Board  from  whose  treasury  the  money  is  to  be  drawn, 
which  order  shall  be  signed  by  the  presiding  officer. 

Art.  VII.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  several  Boards  shall 
maintain  intercourse  by  letter  with  such  individuals  or  public  bodies 

;   as  the  interest  of  their  respective  bodies  may   require.     Copies   or   all 


(142) 

such  communications,  wifb i  their  answers,  if  any,   shall   be    kept    by 
them  on  file. 

Art.  VIII.  The  Recording  Secretaries  of  the  several  Boards  shall 
keep  a  fair  record  of  their  proceedings,  and  of  such  other  documents 
as  may  be  committed  to  them  for  the  purpose. 

Art.  IX.  Ail  the  officers,  Boards,  Missionaries  and  Agents  appoint- 
ed by  the  Convention,  or  by  any  of  its  Boards,  shall  be  members  of 
some  regular  church  in  the  union  with  the  churches  composing  this 
Convention. 

Art.  X.  Missionaries  appointed  by  any  of  the  Boards  of  this  Con- 
vention must,  previous  to  their  appointment,  furnish  evidence  of  gen- 
uine piety,  fervent  zeal  in  their  Master's  cause,  and  talents  which  fit 
them  for  the  service  for  which  they  offer  themselves. 

Aj\t.  XI.  The  bodies  and  individuals  composing  this  Convention 
shall  have  the  right  to  specify  the  object  or  objects  to  which  their 
contributions  shall  be  applied.  But  when  no  such  specification  is 
made,  the  Convention  will  make  the  appropriation  at  its  own  discre- 
tion. 

Art.  XII.  The  Convention  shall  hold  its  meetings  annually,  but 
extra  meetings  may  be  called  by  the  President,  with  the  approbation 
of  any  one  of  the  Boards  of  Managers.  A  majority  of  the  attending 
delegates  shall  not  be  necessary  to  form  a  quorum  for  the  transaction 
of  business.  The  President,  or  in  the  event  of  his  death,  any  oi  the 
Vice-Presidents  of  the  Convention,  may,  at  the  request  of  two  ol  its 
Boards,  postpone  ">r  alter  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  Convention, 
when  it  may  be  deemed  by  him  inexpedient  to  convene  at  the  time 
or  place  appointed. 

Art.  XII L  Any  alterations  which  experience  shall  dictate  may  be 
made  in  these  Articles  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  pres- 
ent at  any  annual  meeting  of  the  Convention. 

BY-LAWS. 

Impressed  with  the  obligation  resting  on  the  Convention  to  endeav- 
or more  energetically  and  systematically   to  elicit,  combine  and  direct 


am 

the  energies  of  the  whole  denomination  in  one    sacred    effort    for   the 
propagation  oi  the  gospel,  we  adopt  the  following  By-laws: 

1.  That  the  Boards  of  the  Convention  be  directed  to  form  the  closest 
possible  connection  with  State  Boards,  where  such  exist,  in  such  way 
as  shall  be  mutually  agreeable,  and  in  other  cases  to  secure  such  agen- 
cy as  each  of  the  Boards  may  deem  best,  in  both  cases  providing  for 
necessary  expenses  incurred. 

2.  That  the  Secretaries  of  the  Boards  of  the  Convention  be  instruct- 
ed to  secure  frequent  distribution  of  information  relating  to  their 
work  by  means  of  newspapers,  tracts,  leaflets  and  otherwise,  as  may 
be  found  expedient  among  the  mass  of  the  people. 

3.  That  the  committee  on  the  nomination  of  New  Boards  be  in- 
stiucted  to  nominate,  as  Vice-Presidents  of  Boards,  men  known  to  be 
identified  with  the  interests  of  the  Convention,  and  of  their  own  State 
Boards,  and  unless  special  reasons  exist  to  the  contrary,  men  who 
make  effort  to  attend  the  sessions  of  the  Convention.  These  Vice- 
Presidents  shall  be  expected  to  co-operate  with  the  Boards,  both  giv- 
ing and  receiving  suggestions  as  to  the  work  to  be  done,  and  they  also 
shall  be  -expected  to  present  at  the  next  session  of  the  Convention,  a 
report  in  writing  of  what  they  had  been  requested  to  do,  and  of  the 
way  in  which  they  have  complied  with  these  requests,  with  any  sug- 
gestions they  may  have  to  offer  as  to  the  condition  and  needs  of  their 
^respective  fields.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  Secretary,  in  due    time, 

to  furntsh  tin-  \  ice-Presidents  of  his  Board  with  suitable  blanks  for 
?such  reports,  and  to  call  their  attention  to  this  article,  and  to  make 
pny  proper  efiort  to  secure  the  due  preparation  of  these  reports.  In 
■case  any  Vice-Prasident  appointed  is  unable  or  unwilling  to  comply 
nvith  the  requests  herein  mentioned,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board 
Hf  possible,  to  find  some  person  who  can,  and  request  him  to  do  so  ■ 
land  furthermore,  the  Vice-President  for  each  State  shall  be  desired 
;as  speedily  as  possible,  to  prepare  a  roll  of  the    associations,    churches 

and  Sunday  schools  in  that  State,  to  be  used  for    the    distribution    of 
.information,  and  to  ascertain  as  far  as  possible  which  of  the  churches 

and  Sunday-schools  are  contributing  to  the  funds  of  the   Board    and 


(144; 

the  annual  amounts,  and  to  make  systematic  effort  each    year   to    in- 
crease the  number  and  amount  of  such  contributions. 

4.  The  Boards  shall  report  at  each  session  of  the  Convention  what 
special  efforts  they  have  been  able  to  make  toward  carrying  out  the 
object  of  these  By-laws. 

5.  Immediately  after  the  reading  ot  the  reports  of  the  Boards,  each 
year,  a  committee  of  five  shall  be  appointed,  to  whom  shall  be  refer- 
red so  much  of  these  reports  as  pertains  to  the  carrying  out  of  th^  By- 
laws, and  also  the  reports  of  the  Vice-Presidents. 

6.  That  these  By-laws  may  be  altered  at  any  tune  by  a  majority 
vote,  except  on  the  last  day  of  the  Convention. 


(145) 


DELIBERATIVE  ASSEMBLY  GUIDE, 

BY 

REV.  JOHN  S.  SMILEY, 
i  Swain,  N.  C, 

ALL  IN  A  NUT  SHELL. 

ADAPTED  TO  ALL 

in  Mass   Ntg'attiigs,  Churches,  Associations,  Soslotsas,  Legislative 

Bodies,    otc. 


PARLIAMENTARY. 


PARLIAMEMTARY  RULES,  GOVERNING-  DELIBERATE  VE  BODIES  IN  GENERAL. 

1.  Deliberative  bodies  are  organized  assemblies  of  persons  con- 
vened to  act  upon  questions  legally  presented  to  them  according  to 
the  principles  and  forms  sanctioned  by    usage. 

2.  In  deliberative  bodies  the  members  are  on  an  equalitv,  and  the 
officers  are  but  the  instruments  and  agents  of  them. 

There  are  two  classes  of  deliberative  bodies.  1.  Permanent,  2.  Oc- 
casional. 

Permanent  deliberative  bodies  have  no  constituencies,  but  main- 
tain the  relation  at  will,  or  for  life  ;  such  as  churches,  Idcfd  societies 
the  House  of  Peers  in  England,  etc. 

Occasional  deliberative  bodies  have  constituencies,  such  as  District 
Associations,  Conventions,  State  Legislatures  and  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  political  meetings, 
t?tc. 


(146; 

All  deliberative   bodies  must  have  a  presiding  and  recording  officer. 

Presiding  officers  have  differ -lit  cities  in  English  and'  American! 
Parliamentary  Law,  according  to  the  customs  of  the  kinds  of  bodies 
over  which  they  preside.  Piesident  is  the  title  of  the  presiding  officer 
of  the  U.  S.  Senate,  and  some  of  the  State  Senates,  and  Speaker  is 
the  title  of  the  presiding  officer  in  thr  House  of  iiepresentatives  of 
the  U.  S.,  and  of  the  several  States. 

Moderator  is  the  title  of  the  presiding  officer  oi  a  baptist  chuich, 
Union  Meeting,  Association,  Synods  and  Assemblies  of  the  Presbyter- 
ians and  of  a  Town  Meeting  in  Massachusetts. 

President  of  some  Baptist  Conventions  is  the  title  of  the  presiding 
officer  and  Bishop,  the  presiding  officer  in  a  Methodist  Conference,  an 
Episcopal  Diocese,  etc.  Chairman,  is  used  sometimes  in  mass  meet- 
ings and  always  in  Committees  and  very  often  in  that  of  County 
Boards,  Boards  of  Missions,  etc. 

QUALIFICATIONS  OF  A  PRESIDING  OFFICER. 

The  presiding  officer  of  an  assembly  should  well  understand  par- 
liamentaiy  law  and  be  fully  able  to  preside  so  as  to  reflect  credit  on 
himself  and  his  assembly. 

He  should  seldom  if  ever  engage  in  debate  as  a  partisan  on  a  general 
question.  His  duties  are  to  keep  the  assembly  in  working  order  to 
giibmit  such  questions  for  decision  as  may  properly  come  before  the 
body  in  order,  and  to  decide  points  of  order  and  rule  the  members  to 
the  same.  But  to  succeed  well  and  sustain  the  proper  respect  of 
members,  the  presiding  officer  should,  on  most  principal  questions, 
act  the  part  of  a  disinterested  umpire. 

When  the  hour  fixed  for  the  meeting  of  the  assembly  arrives,  the 
presiding  officer  should  take  the  chair,  or  seat  intended  for  the  chair, 
and  call  the  body  to  order,  and  call  the  atteniion  of  the  body  to  the 
business    before  it. 

The  recording  officer  of  an  assembly  should  be  well  able  to  com- 
mit to  writing  the  proceedings  as  they  are  transacted.  He  should  be 
a  ready  pensman,  quick  of  perception  and  be  fully  able  to  keep  a  true 


mi 

an 


U47) 
minute  or  journal  of  the  body.     He  should  always  furnish  the  chair- 
men of  committees,  belonging  to  the  assembly  for  which  he  is  record- 
ing, with  a  list  of  their  colleagues,  as  they  are  appointed.     The  record- 
ing officer  of  deliberative  bodies  is  either  called  Clerk  or   Secretary. 

The  title  is  that  of  Clerk  in  legislative  assemblies,  churches,  Union 
meetings,  Associations,  etc..  and  Secretary  in  religious  and  political 
conventions  and  some  other  societies. 

In  the  absence  of  special  rules  to  the  contrary,  it  is  the  duty  of 
the  Clerk,  or  Secretary  of  former  session  to  call  his  assembly,  upon 
the  opening  ol  a  new  session,  in  case  the  former  presiding  officer  or 
officers  are  absent  to  order  and  occupy  the  chair  until  a  presiding  officer 
may  be  provided  :  In  such  cases  a  ehairman-protempore  is  chosen  to 
act  for  the  time  until  properly  organized. 

PRIVILEGES  OF  MEMBERS  OF  DE  LIBERA  4'IVE  BODIES. 

The  members  of  a  deliberative  body  are  upon  an  equality  and  each 
have  a  right  to  occupy  the  floor  in  debate.  To  obtain  the  floor  to 
make  a  motion  or  introduce  a  resolution,  or  to  speak  upon  any  ques- 
tion, a  member  must  first  get  the  recognition  of  the  presiding  officer 
by  rising  to  his  feet  and  addressing  the  presiding  officer  with  the 
proper  title.  If  two  or  more  rise  at  the  same  time,  the  chair  must 
name  the  one  to  speak  first.  In  all  discussions,  it  is  the  duties  of 
members  to  follow  or  keep  to  the  subject  and  to  avoid  personalities, 
or  an  irritable  manner  of  speech.  Any  member  may  keep  the  floor 
so  long  as  he  keeps  in  the  bounds  of  reason  or  observes  good    order. 

ORDER  OF  DEBATE. 

It  is  not  in  order  to  make  a  speech  when  there  is  no  question  legit* 
imately  before  the  assembly. 

The  way  to  get  questions  before  an  assembly  is  by  motion  01  reso- 
lution which  must  always  have  a  second  and  no  question  is  debata- 
ble until  stated  by  the  presiding  officer  after  which  it  is  open  to  all 
members  equally  alike  for  discission. 


(148; 

HOW     A   VOTE  IS  TAKEN    UPON   A  QUESTION- 

The  presiding  officer  rises  and  after  stating  the  question  says: 
''All  in  favor  of  the  motion,  (or  resolution)  say  Aye;"  when  the 
Ayes  have  been  taken  he  reverses  the  vote  by  saying,  "All  who  are 
opposed  to  it  say,  "No,"  after  which  he  announces  the  result  of  the 
vote  by  saying,  "It  has  carried,1  or  "It  has.  failed,"  as  the  case  may 
be,  and  the  vote  is  with  the  voice.  In  cases  of  election  of  officers  of 
deliberative  bodies,  (especially  permanent  officers,)  the  vote  should 
always  be  by  ballot. 

o:  CONIZATION. 

Organization  of  constituent  deliberative  bodies,  when  first  brought 
into  existence  and  before  they  have  officers  existing  and  also  where 
former  officers  are  absent  whose  duty  it  is  to  call  them  to  order  and 
serve  in  official  capacity  until  permanent  organization  is  effected,  may 
be  organized  in  this  way  : 

The  assembly  or  meeting  having  met  at  the  appointed  time  and 
plaee  it  becomes  the  right  and  duty  of  any  member  to  rise  and  move 
the  appointment  )f  some  one  to  preside  until  permanent  organization 
is  completed,  which  motion  having  been  seconded  should  immediately 
be  put  to  the  house  by  the  mover,  and  if  the  motion  thus  made  car- 
ries, then  it  is  the  duty  of  the  person  thus  selected  to  take  the  chair 
at  once  and  preside.  All  other  temporary  officers,  especially  a  clerk 
or  secretary,  must  also  be  provided,  and  so  it  is  the  duty  of  the  person 
now  presiding  to  call  the  attention  of  the  body  to  that  fact  and  let 
them  be  chosen  in  the  same  way  as  the  temporary  presiding  officer 
was  chosen. 

The  usual  exercises  in  opening  and  organizing  constituent  delibera- 
tive bodies,  is  the  opening  address  introductory  to  the  work,  devotion, 
etc.,  after  which  the  members  are  called  upon  for  credentials.  The 
best  method  to  insure  accurate  work  is  for  the  chair  to  appoint  read- 
ing clerks  to  read  papers  from  the  bodies  represented  in  the  order 
named,  which  when  completed  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  body  brings 
on  the  election  of  permanent  officers  as  the  next  step;  and  the  election 


C14-9J) 

of  the  presiding  and  recording  officers  should  always  be  by  ballot  and 
the  persons  elected  shouid  ieceive  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast 
belore  declared  elected. 

A  deliberative  assembly  is  not  completely  organized  until  its  ap- 
propriate committees  are  appointed.  Any  number  of  standing  com- 
mittees may  be  provided  lor  by  an  assembly  and  to  these  certain  lead- 
ing questions  or  business  may  be  assigned  upon  which  it  is  their  duty 
to  consider  and  report  to  their  assemblies  in  the  best  way. 

APPOINTMENT  OF  COMMITTEES. 

The  appointment  of  committees,  when  not  otherwise  ordered  by 
the  assembly,  devolves  upon  the  presiding  officer  every  time;  and 
when  a  committee  is  raised  by  order  of  the  assembly,  if  the  order  does 
not  include  the  number  and  the  persons  of  whom  it  is  to  consist,  it  is 
the  prerogative  of  the  presiding  officer  to  fill  the  blanks  without  fur- 
ther hesitation. 

A  wise  discretion  must  be  used  ite  appointing  committees,  from  the 
fact  that  they  are  the  business  head!  and  motive  machinery  of  an 
assembly. 

Committees  usually  consist  of  an  indefinite  number  of  persons,  gen- 
erally exceeding  two,  but  they  should  never  consist  of  less  than  three, 
and  seldom  exceed  three  persons;  and  no  person  should  be  assigned 
s  to  duty  on  more  than  one  committee  at  the  same  time. 

COMMITTEE  OF    THE   WHOLE. 

Sometimes  it  becomes  necessarv  for  an  assembly  to  resolve  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  to  consider  measures  of  such  pressing 
importance  as  not  to  be  satisfactorily  considered  and  matured  other- 
wise. 

When  it  is  desired  to  become  a  committee  of  the  whole,  some. mem- 
ber moves  that  the  assembly  do  now  resolve  itself  into  a  Committee  of 
the  Whole,  and  this  motion  being  sustained  by  a  second  is  put  to  the 
house  by  the  presiding  officer  which  when  carried  requires  the  presid- 
ing officer  to  call  some  one  to  the  chair  to  preside  over  the  Committee 
of  the   Whole  and  the  assembly  now  considers  the  matter  in  hand    un- 


(150; 

til  satisfactory  progress  is  reached,  when  it  is  the  duty  of  some  one  to 
move  that  the  committee  of  the  whole  do  rise  and  report  progress  to 
the  assembly.  It  this  motion  prevails,  the  presiding  officer  oi  the 
body  assumes  duties  at  the  point  where  he  left  oft  when  the  body 
went  into  the  Committee  of  the  Whole. 

MOTIONS  AND  RESOLUTIONS. 

When  a  deliberative  assembly  expresses  itself  upon  any  question, 
it  is  done  in  the  form  of  motions  and  resolutions,  and  but  one  princi- 
pal question  can  be  legally  brought  before  an  assembly  at  the  same 
time;  consequently,  the  presiding  officer  should-  rule  out  any  other 
separate  or  independent  motion  or  resolution,  until  the  one  under 
consideration  is  disposed  of. 

The  following  are  all  the  kinds  of  motions  and  questions  usually 
resorted  to  in  parliamentary  law. 

Every  question  has  what  is  teimed  a  principal  motion,  and  the  fol- 
lowing subsiding  motions  may  be  made  during  the  consideration  of  a 
main  proposition  : 

1.  To  lie  on  the-4able  ; 

2.  Indefinite  postponement ; 

3.  Previous  question  ; 

4.  Definite  postponement  ; 

5.  Amendments  : 

6.  Commitment. 

And  to  these  we  add  the  motion  to  reeonsider,  but  this  motion  can 
not  be  moved  by  any  one  unless  he  voted  in  the  affirmative  and  it  is 
made  only  to  bring  up  again,  for  reconsideration,  a  question  that  has 
been  passed  upon. 

There  are  certain  other  questions  which  sometimes  arise  during  the 
proceedings  of  an  assembly  which  must  be  decided  at  once  as  they 
always  affect  the  deliberations  of  an  assembly  ;  these  are  called  Inci- 
dental Questions.     They  are  : 

1.  Questions  of  order  ; 

2.  Reading  papers  ; 


(151) 

3.  Withdrawal  of  a  motion  ; 

4.  Suspension  of  a  rule. 
There  are  also  other  questions  which  supercede  any  other  principal 

motion  or  any  of  its  appendages  and  may  interrupt  these  atan}r  stage 
:>f  the  proceedings,  and  the  questions  which  thus  supercede  are  called 
Privileged  Questions.     They  are  : 

1.  Orders  of  the  day  ; 

2.  Questions  of  privilege  : 

3.  Adjournment. 

The  following  motions  are  not  dehatahle  and  must    always     be    de- 
ided  without  debate  : 
1.  The  previous  question  ; 

8.  The  main  question,  when  the  previous  question  has  been  sec- 
onded by  the  house  ; 

3.  To  lie  on  the  tabic  :  f  ^ 

4.  Definite  postponement ; 

5.  Motions  to  read  papers; 

6.  Motions  to  suspend  the  rules; 

7.  Motions  to  adjourn. 

Motions  which  supercede  or  supplant  others,  motion  to  lie  on  the 
table  takes  precedence  of  ail  other  subsiary  questions,  but  it  is  sub- 
ordinate to  all  three  of  the  privileged  questions. 

How  motions  accumulate  sometimes,  b}r  superceding  and  suspend- 
ing one  another  for  the  time  :  (1)  There  is  a  principal  motion  pend- 
ing ;  (2)  a  motion  is  made  to  amend ;  (3)  another  motion  is  made  to 
amend  the  amendment;  (4)  a  proposition  is  made  to  commit;  (5) 
a  point  of  order  is  raised  ;  (6)  a  question  of  privilege  is  raised  ;  (7) 
a  motion  is  made  to  adjourn. 

The  proper  mode  of  proceeding  in  such  cases  is  to  put  the  question 
first  on  the  motiou  to  adjourn.  If  that  be  decided  in  the  negative, 
then  settle  the  question  of  privilege;  decide  the  point  ^f  order;  then 
put  the  question  on  the  motion  to  commit.  If  the  assembly  refuse 
to  commit,  the  questions  are  to  be  taken  on  the    amendments   in    re- 


(152) 

verse  %rder,  and  finally  on   the   principal    motion    amended    or    un- 
amended. 

THE   EFFECTS  OF  SUBSIDIARY  MOTIONS   WHEN   CARRIED. 

To  lie  on  the  table  ranks  all  subsidiary  questions  and  when  car- 
ried it  removes  from  the  assembly  the  principal  motion  with  all  its 
appendages  for  the  time. 

When  a  motion  to  take  from  the  table  prevails,  it  revives  the  prin- 
cipal motion  with  all  other  appendages  attached  to  it  in  the  exact 
form  it  was  in  before  it  was  tabled. 

To  postpone  to  a  time  definite  is  subordinate  to  lie  on  the  table 
but  it  is  of  the  same  grade  with  ail  the  other  subsidiary  motions,  ex- 
cept to  amend  to  which  it  is  superior,  and  cannot  be  suppressed  by 
them.  Postponement  to  a  time  definite  when  carried  in  the  affirma- 
tive, makes  the  question  a  privileged  one  for  that  time. .  If  decided 
in  the  negative  it  leaves  tin;  question  before  the  assembly  as  it  was 
before  the  motion  to  postpone  was  made;  and  it  cannot  be  moved  a 
second  time.  It  is  susceptible  of  amendment.  It  is  not  in  order  to 
speak  to  the  merits  of  a  question  when  postponement  is  under  con- 
sideration, but  simply  to  speak  on  the  time  to  which  the  postpone- 
ment proposed  is  in  order. 

MOTIONS  TO  SUPPRESS. 

To  cut  off  discussion  and  bring  on  a- direct  vote,  the  previous  ques- 
tion is  used.  When  a  member  calls  for  the  previous  question,  the 
presiding  officer  says  :  "Shall  the  call  for  /the  previous  question  be 
seconded?"  If  this  carrief  in  the  affirmative,  the  second  step  and 
question  by  tne  chair  is,  "Shall  the  main  question  be  now  put?" 
Third  and  lastly,  "Shall  the  principal  motion  be  adopted  by  the 
house?"  The  previous  question  has  supremacy-over  a  motion  to 
amend,  but  is  subordinate  to  lie  on  the  table.  It  is  of  the  same  grade 
with  the  other  subsidiary  questions,  viz  :  to  postpone  and  to  commit, 
and  when  either  of  them  is  pending  it  is  not  in  order  to  move  it. 

To  evade  a  direct  vote  on  the  merits  of  a  question,   indefinite   post- 


ponement  is  used,  an4  when  it  prevails,   the   proposition     thus    post- 
poned cannot  be  renewed  during  the  session. 

COMMITMENT. 

It  is  in  order  to  comiait  to  a  standing  e  >mmiUee  or  a  select  com- 
mittee, but  if  the  motion  to  commit  comes  up  m  two  forms  the  vote 
is  taken  on  committing  to  the  stand. ng  .committee  first.  Commit- 
ment is  of  the  same  grade  as  postponement  and  previous  question. 

APPEALS    FROM    THE   DECISIONS  OF  THE  CHAIR. 

Any  member  may  appeal  to  the  house  from  the  decision  of  the 
presiding  officer  on  points  bt  order  and  the  chair  shah  immediately 
take  a  vote  on  the  question  which  vote  shall  settle  the  dispute. 

POWERS  AND  DITTIES  OF  DELIBERATIVE     BODIES    WITH     REGARD     TO      EN- 

FO!  CING    O^DER. 

Every  assembly  must  have  good  discipline  in  order  to  maintain 
its  dignity  and  to  succeed  successfully  with  its  business  :  thus  it  be- 
comes the  duty  of  every  officer  and  member  to  conform  to  thj  estab- 
lished rules  or  moral  right  and  usages  of  business,  ft  is  the  duty  of 
presiding  officers  to  reprove  tor  disorder  and  in  cases  of  persistent 
violation  on  the  pr,rt  of  fTmember,  it  is  his  duty  to  call  the  attention 
of  the  assembly  to  the  fact,  naming  the  offender  and  the  offense,  and 
the  house  should  take  the  case  in  hand  and  deal  with  the  offense  ac- 
cording to  the  merits  or  demerits  of  the  case.  But  in  case  of  punish- 
ment for  disorder  in  deliberative  bodies,  no  penalty  can  be  inflicted 
by  them  further  than  to  unseat  and  deprive  the  guilty  parties  of  the 
privileges  oi  the  assembly. 

Any  member  may  raise  a  question  of  order,  calling  the  attention  of 
the  chair  to  it,- and  when  stated  the  chair  accepts  or  regrets  accord- 
ing to  his  judgment  in  the  ease. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This  is  the  form  of  question  when  it  is  desired  to  alter  a  principal 
proposition,  and  every  amendment  is  itself  subject  to  amendment, 
but  there  is  a  limit  to  these  kind  of  questions  beyond  which   we    can- 


(154j 

not  go.     We  cannot  amend  an  amended    amendment. 

Putting  questions  to  a  vote  when  motions  to  amend  are  to  be  voted 
upon  are  on  this  wise:  First  the  question  on  the  amendment  to  the 
amendment,  when  there  are  such  pending;  Second  on  the  amend- 
ment as  amended,  and  finally  on  the  principal  proposition  as  amend- 
ed, but  if  all  the  amendments  be  voted  down  then  the  question  will 
be  standing  in  original  form  to  be  voted  on.  There  are  three  ways  to 
effect  amendments,  viz  :  (1)  by  adding  words ;  (2)  by  striking  out; 
(3)  by  striking  out  and  inserting  words. 

Reconsideration,  when  it  carries,  brings  the  question  to  be  recon- 
sidered before  the  assembly  as  it  was  before  voted  upon.  A  motion 
to  reconsider  can  only  be  made  by  those  who  voted  in  the  affirma- 
tive on  the  proposition  desired  to  be  opened  tor   consideration    again. 

ADJOURNMENT. 

A  motion  simply  to  adjourn,  without  specifying  time,  supercedes 
all  other  questions,  and  must  be  put  ):xy  the  chair,  but  it  can  be  voted 
-down  if  the  body  is  not  ready  for  it. 

ROLL  CALL,  THE  QUORUM  AND  READING   MINUTES. 

Roll  cairis  the  first  thing  alter  devotion  before  a  deliberative  body 
should  proceed  to  transacting  its  reguhr  business,  and  should  be 
always  ordered  by  the  presiding  officer  and  called  by  the  recording 
officer,  at  once,  unless  the  assembly  interfere  and  order  ft  her  wise  for 
the  time. 

A  quorum  is  a  number  in  a  deliberative  body  to  transact  business 
or  compel  the  attendance  of  absentees.  The  question  of  quorum  may 
be  fixed,  as  it  often  is  in  parliaments,  Legislatures,  etc.,  and  often 
in  Boards,  but  in  Baptist  assemblies  it  is  not  fixed  further  than  to 
say  that  the  quorum  is  a  majority  of  the  members  present.  The 
question  of  quorum  is  not  raised  in  Baptist  churches,  the  number 
assembling,  on  the  time  set  by  the  church  may  transact  business 
legally  and  no  one  has  the  right  to  complain  if  he  was  not   present. 

READING  THE  MINUTES  OR  JOURNAL. 

This  follows  roll  call  when  the  quorum  has  been  settled  and  should 
be  performed  every  morning  upon  opening  the  session  and  the  min- 
utes should  be  passed  upon  by  the  body  and  corrected    if  need  be. 


CIRCULAR    LETTER. 


TO  THE  (.'HUiU'HEo  tVMPOSl^O  THE    FRIENDSHIP  ASSOCIATION: 

Loving  Brethren:     Having  foiie  through  the  business  of   our    meet- 
ing, we  now  address  you  a  short  epistle  upon  the  Christian     Warfare. 
This  war  may  be  traced  in  its  incipient  stages  to  the   first   moving    of 
the  spirit  upon  the  mind  of  the  sinner,   and    as    conviction    increases 
the  war  also  increases.     And  the  opinion  that  they  con  do    something 
[  themselves  to  better  their  condition,    with    a    reeling    0f    pride,    and 
'■■  shame  is  the  great  barrier  to   their  conversion,    and     many     like    the 
Israleites  of  old,  after  leaving  Egyptian  Bondage,  and    traveling   only 
three  days  journey  into  the  wilderness,  began  to  dispair  and   long   for 
'  the  flesh  pots  of  Egypt,  and  even  for  the  leeks  and  garlick  ;  and    how 
;  many  in  our  day,  do  return  to  a  servitude  of  sin,  and  bondage  to    the 
world,  and  satan  ?     liut  the  sinner   having    traveled.^ perhaps    forty 
\  days  in  the  wilderness,  in  sore  conflict  with  the    enemy,    but    having 
obtained  a  hope,  and  enlisted  in  the  war,  Satan  having  lost  a  subject, 
doubles  all  his  forces  to  barrage  and  destroy  the  young  soldier  of  the 
;  cross,  and  in  this  stage  of  the  Christians  life,  not   having   learned    the 
wars  of  Canaan,  they  are  often  brought  low  and  kept  back  from  duty, 
"and  often  to  doubt  the  reality  of  their  conviction.     But  having    over* 
I  come  these  temptations  and  united  with  the  people  of  God,    they    are 
J  then  prepared,  and  armed   for  the  war,  and  as  this  war  is    not  carnal, 
but  spiritual,  the  weapons  also  must  be  spiritual,  and  they  are  mighty 
says  the  apostle,  through  God,  to  the    pulling    clown    of  strongholds. 
Truth  must  be  had  as  a  guide,  righteousness  as  a  breastplate,  and  the 
feet  shod  with  peace,  and  above  all,   have  the   shield    of    Faith,    by 
which  you  are  to  pairy,  or  quench  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked,    take 
also  the  helmed  of  salvation,  and  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,   the   word   of 
God,  and  being  thus  armed,  be  ready  at  ail  times  to   face   the    enemy. 
But  mind  you,  your  armor  is  for  defence,  and  therefore  the   christian 
should  never  through  pride,    or    vain   glory,    challenge    the    enemy. 
Peter  the  disciple  done  that,  and   see  the  consequences,   he  denied  his 


No  do 


(156) 

Lord  in  the  presence  of  a  wicked  world,  who    Were    thirsting   for    hi 
life,  crying  crucify  him/     crucify  him/     Let  this  then,   dear    ehristha 
he  a  warning  to  .you,  least  as  Peter  did,  you   should    also   deny     you 
Savior,  in  companies  of  the  wicked,  and  before  the  world,  and  rcirien 
her  the  carnal  mind  is  not  changed,  and -it  is    through   the    overture 
of  the  mind  that  access  can  be  had  for  Satan  to    tempt    the    child    oAiritu1 
God.     Seeing,  hearing,  feeling,  tasting,  and    smelling — any    pleas'ura  Stfc'uri 
ble  feelings  the  mind  can  enjoy,  comes  through  some  one,  or  more    o j pg wai 
the  five  senses  ;  so  also  is   every    ieeling    of    disgust    or    displeasures 
Many  persons  after  conversion  flatter  themselves  that  the  war  is  overlives 
the  battle  fought  and  won,  they  see  a  clear   and    cloudless    sky,     no 
even  dreaming  of  a,  tempest  close  at  hand.     But  remember    the    lane1, 
of  Canaan  was  promised  Israel,  but  they  had  to  fight  and  conquer   t< 
obtain  possession  of  it.  and  not  only  so,*but  they   had    perpetual    wai 
to  keep  possession  of  it ;  and  you  notice   there   were    nations    left    tc 
prove  them,  to  teach  them  how  to  fight,  those  that    had     not    learned 
all  the  wars  of  Canaan.     Namely  five  lords  of  the    Philistians,  corres- 
ponding to  the  five  senses  of  the  body,   and  there    were    three   othei 
nations  also  to  prove  them,  the  most  formidable  of  all   the   Cananitcs. 
the  Sidonian's,  and  the  Levites.     These  may  correspond  to   the    three 
great  sources  of  evil,  spoken  oi  by  the  apostle  John — the  lusts    of  the 
flesh,  the  lusts  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life.     These    were    left    tola 
prove  Israel,  to  know  whether  they  would    keep   the    command menti? 
of  God,  or  not.     So  are  our  enemies,  they  are  to    prove    us,    and    the 
most  formidable  are  the  three  above  named,  or  you  may  have    it,    the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  Satan. — The  lusts  of  the  fresh,    and   of   the    eye 
with  the  pride  of  life,  are  truly  formidable  to  the  christian  ;    and    the 
christian  should  never  be  off  his  guard,  for  at  every  indulgence,  or  un- 
guarded moment,  you  may  be  led  astray  before    y^ou    are    aware  ;  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh,  or  of  the  eye,  or  the  pride   of  life,    may    assail   you, 
and  you  may  be  drawn  into  the  snares  of  vice    and    Jolly.     And    re- 
member, 


Ire  can 

U  tbi 
&umei' 

*Uh 
ply 

ptcb 

arii 
try  y. 

t 

iiagt 

the  J 

tat 

fa 

k 
an- 1 

the. 

Am 


il 


(157) 

"Pride,  accursed  pride,  that  sin  by  God  abhorred, 

Do  what  we  will   it  haunts  us  still,  and  keeps  us  from  the  Lord; 

This  moment,  while  1  write,  I  feel  its  power  within, 

My  heart  it  draws,  to  seek.applause,   and  mixe;  all  with  sin." 

No .doubt  the  desire  of  every  christian  is  to-  do   the   will    of   God.— 

|ut  the  nations  were  left  to  prove  Israel  naturally,    are    to    prove    us 

birituallyfand  in  some  of  their  various  forms  .are    forever   haunting 

8,he  christian,  and  therefore  it  is  like  the  wars  of  Canaan,   an    uneeas- 

no'  warefare.     The  good  that  we  would  do  we  do   not,    and     that    we 

JLould  not  do,  that  wedo.     So  then,    with   the    mind     the    christian 

Jferves  the  law  of  God,  but  with  the  flesh  the  law  of  bin.       Here    then, 

..r.vve  can  see  the  great  conflict,  or  warfare  in    which    every    christian    is 

jagaj/ed,  and  we  hear  the  apostle  saying  he   had    besought    the     Lord 

lor  these  things  to  be  removed.      But  the  answer    was,    My    grace    is 

ai sufficient  for  thee,  and  the  war  had  still  to    go    on,     and     the    enemy 

] Lough  often  put  to  flight,  yet  complete  victory  never  can  be    obtain- 

fid  while  flesh  remains.     Then  christian,  you  should  see  to  it,  be  ever 

ready  for  the  conflict,  keep  your  armor    bright    and    firm     upon     the 

watch  tower,  guard  every  avenue  of  the  soul,   for  you)-    enemy     as    a 

fearing  Hon,  is  roving  about  seeking  whom  he  may  devour,  and    will 

fry  you  once  and  again,  and  always  at   the  least    guarded    point.     It 


try  vou  uuv.^  »■■«'•*  *■-& — >  -  , 

Las  thus  that  Satan  tempted  our  mother  Eve  m  the  garden,   the   lan- 
guage of  the  serpent  at  once  excited  her  desires.     No  doubt  to  confirm 
|be  deception,  the  serpent  would  suggest  that  it  was  eating  that  fruit, 
that  enabled  him  to  converse  with  her.     0  !     what   a  bait    was    here 
ff    id  to  that  Sinless  soul !     The  fruit  doubtless  had  a  pleasant  scent. 
irpne  lupt  of  the  flesh  and  of  the  eye,  with  the;,pride  of  Hie,  all  assailed 
fher      No  wonder  she  fell  beguiled  by  the  serpent,  or  Satan,    who,    we 
are  informed,  had   the  boldness  to  tempt  our  Lord  by  offering  him  all 
the  kingdoms  ot  the  world  if  he  would  fall  down    and    worship    him. 
\nd  to  resist  the  enemy  successfully,  every  avenue  of  the  soul    must 
be  guarded  with  diligence,  as   apart  from  the  five  senses  of  the  body, 
fio  temptation  can  assail  the  christian. 

\nd  for  our  encouragement,  we  are  told  to  consider   him   that    had 


(15s 

endured  such  contradictions  of  Sinners  against  himself;  least  you  be 
worried  and  faint  in  your  minds,  you  should  call  to  remembrance 
the  former  days,  in  which  after  you  were  illuminated  you  endured  a 
great  fight  of  affliction,  while  you  were  made  a  gazing  stuck  by  re- 
proaches and  afflictions,  and  partly  while  you  become  companions  of 
them  that  were  so  used.  Cast  not  therefore,  away  your  confidence, 
for  it  hath  great  recompense  of  reward.  And  you  have  great  need  of 
the  grace  of  patience,  that  after  you  have  served  the  Lord,  and  finish- 
ed your  trials  here,  you  may  receive  the  promises;  and  forget  not  the 
exhortation  which  saith  unto  you,  as  unto  children,  my  son  despise 
not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Lord,  nor  faint  under  his  rebuke,  for 
whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  seourgeth  every  child  that 
he  receiveth.  And  remember,  if  you  are  without  chastisement  where- 
of  all  christians  are  partakers,  then  are  you  bastards  and  not  sons. 
Here  is  encouragement,  dear  christian,  ponder  over  your  past  exper- 
ience, remember  the  wormwood,  and  the  gall,  keep  them  still  in  re- 
membrance with  an  humble  reliance  upon  God,  and  he  will  give  you 
a  well  grounded  hope.  Resist  the  devil  and  he  ivill  flee  from  you, 
and  in  all  forget  not  to  pray.     The  poet  says  that, 

"Satan  trembles  when  he  sees,  the  humblest  saint  upon  his  knees/ 
And  Bunyan  in  hi?  Christian,  on  one  occasion  found  his  armor  fail, 
even  his  sword  that  had  so  lately  put  Apollion  to  flight,  was  laid 
aside,  and  he  betook  himself  to  all  prayer,  the  only  channel  through 
which  God  has  ever  promised  deliverance  to  man. 

A  few  words  to  young  converts.  You  have  past  through  the  file  of 
conviction  for  sin.  in  which  your  trials  have  been  many  and  great, 
but  you  have  been  delivered,  your  feet  taken  out  of  the  mire  and  clay 
and  placed  upon  a  rock,  and  think  it  not  strange  that  Satan  should 
attack  you  somewhat  differently  from  what  he  has  heretofore  done. 
He  will  suggest  to  you  that  all  is  delusion  or  deception,  or  indeed  it 
may.  be  hypocrisy,  and  if  you  were  a  christian  you  would  know  itt 
and  not  be  harrassed  with  doubts  as  you  are,  with  many  more  such 
doubts  as  these  and 'shame  perhaps  will  give  you  many  a  crimsoned 
cheek,  and  tell  you  not  to  expose  yourself  before  the  world  as  you  do, 


am 

Nay,  shame  is  bold  enough  to  try  to  keep  you  from  the  church,  and 
pride  will  represent  to  your  mind  that  it  is  degrading  for  a  person  of 
your  standing  to  be  amongst  those  groaning  and  whining  old  fogies, 
you  never  can  enjoy  yourself,  nor  the  company  of  your  equals  ;  you 
have  nothing  to  tell  the  church,  and  you  would  hate  not  to  be 
received.  A  christian  knows  it,  and  can  tell  how  the  Lord  suet  with 
them  by  the- way,  and  spoke  peace  to  their  troubled  mind.  But  all 
is  dark  with  you.  the  time  has  past  when  yon  might  have  got  re- 
ligion,  but  now   alas!   tod  late, 

These  are  some  of  the  trials  the  young  Christian  often  has  to 
meet  with,  and  by  which  their  advance  in  the  divine  life  is  much  re- 
tarded. But  the  aged  Christian,  who  has  breasted  the  storm  for 
many  years,  and  is  still  marching  on  to  victory,  can  look  on  calm  and 
tranquil — can  meet  the  conflict  with  becoming  fortitude;  and  while 
the  young  Christians  are  badly  beset  with  trials  and  temptations  on 
every  hand;  and  although  their  own  may  be  very  great,  yet  they 
have  learned  by  long  experience;  that  it  is  through  much  tribulation 
and  patience  they  are  to  inherit  the  promises.  And  we  are  author* 
ized  to  say  in  the  language  of  Job,  That  the  righteous  shall  hold  on 
his  way,  and  he  that  hath  clean  hands  shall  be  stronger  and  stronger. 
And  though  often  cast  down,  bruised  and  mangled  by  the  fall,  yet 
the  assurance  of  victory  is  a  sufficient  stimulant  to  the  war-worn  sol- 
dier of  the  Cross,  who  at  the  end  of  his  pilgrimage,  will  be  hailed 
with  "well  done  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joys  of 
thy  Lord."  Written  by  James  Whttaker,  Sen, 


MESSENGERS, 


MESSENGERS  FROM  THE  CHURCHES  ERoM    1876  TO    1890. 

1876— A.  Ammcms,  J.  M.  Thomasson,  S.  J.  Freeman,  J,  S.  Tabor. 
M.  Ghormley,  W.  C.  Morgan,  G.  W,  Hooper,  William  Carpenter,  J, 
M.  Smiley,  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill,  W.  H,  Cathey.  L.  L.  Thomasson,  J.  P, 
Grant,  M.  DeHart,  J,  S.  Smiley,  Young  Amnions,  B.  L,  Morgan.    W, 


D.  Crisp,  T.  H.  Cody,  John  Hyde,  David  Welch,  W.  F.  Whiteside,  J. 
H-  M.  Crisp,  James  Whitakcr,  R.  W.  Adams,  R.  M.  Roberts,  J.  B. 
Hyde,  W.  B  Cole,  A.  J.  Parris,  T.  B.  Chambers,  E.  N.  Bumgarner, 
H.  Durham,  J.  R.  Bradshaw,  Jasper  Truitt,  Armstrong  Cornsilk,  and 
Jacob  Che  ah. 

1877— A.  Amnions,  I.  R.  Edwards,  J.  M.  Welch,  J.  M.  Thomasson, 
James  Dicke  Geeska,  Armstrong  Cornsjjk,  W.  C.  Morgan,  G.  W. 
Hooper,  J.  Carringer,  II.  P.  Hyde,' J.  M.  Davis,  William  Carpenter, 
C.  George,  T.  A.  Carpenter,  J.  M.  Smiley,  James  Salts.  W.  PL  Cathey, 
J.  M.  Earls,  J.  P.  Panther,  J.  S.  Smiley,  N.  J.  Howard,  Heniy  Ramsey, 
Andrew  Watkins,  A.  Wiggins,  E.  N.  Bumgarner,  James  Beard,  Young 
Amnions,  William  Mashburn,  M.  Bradshaw,  T.  Y.  Ammons,  R.  M. 
Roberts,  B.  J.  Delozier,  John  Hyde,  W.  F.  Whiteside,  J.  Crisp,  P.  G. 
Green,  W.  D.  Crisp,  J.  L.  Crisp,  D.  A.  Taylor,  S.  A.  Crisp,  M.  A.Crisp, 
W.  Phillips,  James  Whitaker,  R.  W.  Adams,  H.  P.  Adams,  Allen 
Freeman,  J.  P   Edwards,  A.  V.  Calhoun  and  Clingman  Sawyer. 

1878 — A.  Ammons,  J.  R.  Edwards,  C.\M.  Green,  W.  C.  Morgan,  T. 
A.  Carpenter,  J.  M.  Davis,  G.  W.  Hooper,  F.  M.Morgan,  H.  A.  Cun- 
ningham, J.  PI.  M.  Whiteside,  T.  B.  Chambers,  W.  B.  Cole,  D.  White- 
side, A.  Wiggins,  James  Beard,  B.  L.  Morgan,  Y.  Ammons,  James 
Proctor,  J.  M.  WTelch,  P.  G.  Green,  J.  L.  Crisp,  W.  D.  Crisp,  H.  W. 
Crisp,  W.  Phillips,  David  Adams,  R.  A.  Biadley,  B.  F.  Adams,  James 
Whitaker,  R    W.  Adams,  Daniel  McCoy,  W.  L.  Welch,  A.  V  Calhoun. 

1879 — A.  Ammons,  J.  R.  Edwards,  A.  H.  Welch,  S.  J.  Freeman, 
H.  M.  McHan,  C.  M.  Green,  W.  C.  Morgan,  G.  W.  Hooper,  William 
Pruitt,  Van  Marcus,  Sidney  Rose,  T.  A.  Carpenter,  William  Carped* 
ter,  T.  C.  Buchanan,  J.  J.  Monteith,  J.  L.  Woody,  W.  B.  Cole,  J.  P. 
Panther,  J.  M.  Smiley,  S.  D.  Davis,  L.  L.  Thomasson,  M.  DeHart,  J. 
A.  Buchanan,  H.  A  Cunningham,  J:  M.  Ea&ls,  D.  Whiteside";  J 
Whiteside,  J.  C.  Melton,  E.  N.  Bumgarner,  A.  W.  Parris,  Young  Am- 
mons, B.  1-  Morgan,  J.  A.  Ammons,  T.  Y.  Ammons,  J.  L.  Hogue,  J. 
A.  Welch,  W.  A.  Marcus,  R.  H.  Crisp,  Joseph  Whiteside,  P.  G.  Green, 
Joel  L.  Crisp,  W.  D.  Crisp,  T.  H.  Cody,  H.  W.  Crisp,  Wiley  Phillips, 
James  Whitaker,  R.  W.  Adams,  Allen  Freeman,  J.  W.  Truitt,    W.  A. 


(161; 

porsey^  P.  Jenkins,  Ah-qua-takih,  Armstrong  Corn  si  Is    and    Richard 
Wright. 

1880 — J  W.  Breenlobr,  S.  J.  Freeman,  J.  M.  Welch,  W.  G.  Morgan, 
G.  W.  Hooper,  T.  S.  Carpenter,  William  Carpenter,  William  Pruitt, 
PL  P.  Hyde,  J.  W.  Holland,  J.  P.  Panther,  L.  L.  Thomasson,  J,  S. 
Gibby,  L.  T.  Green,  H.  A.  Cunningham,  J.  A.  Buchanan,  J.  M.  R4 
Smiley,  J.  A.  Thomasson,  J.  B.  Hoyle,  T.  B.  Chambers,  J.  C.  Mon 
teith,  A.  J.  Monteith,  J.  R.  Buchanan,  J.  M.  Smiley,  Davis  White- 
side,*  J.  Whiteside,  Wm.  Kirkland,  F.  P.  Hutching,  I.  T.  S.  Sherrill, 
Jas  Beard,  E.  N.  Bumgarner,  J.  M.  Ciine,  Y.  Amnions,  B.  L.  Morgan, 
J  L.  Hogue,  H.  Marcus,  T.  Y.  Amraons,  A.  J,  Amnions,  T.  J.  Cal- 
houn, J.  W.  Crisp.  H.  13.  Pioctor,  Nathan  Pilkaton,  W.  F.  Whiteside, 
P.  A.  Calhoun,  P.  G.  Green,  Joel  L.  -'Jrisp,  W.  D.Crisp,  S.  M.  Edwards, 
1).  A.  Taylor,  A.  M.  Edward*.  L.  A.  Bradley,  Jasper  Truitt,  J.  P.  Ed- 
wards, W.  A.  Dorsey,  John  Jenkins,  Allen  Farmer,  P,  Jenkins,  M.  D. 
Sawyer,  Wm.  Welch,  R.  Wright,  Jacob  Cheer,  H.  Millsaps,  D.  Williams. 

1881— J.  R.  Edwards,  A.H.Welch,  J.  M.  Collins,  William  Carpenter, 
J. A.  Hyde, William  Pruitt,  G.  W.  Oar,  M.  DeHart,  M.S.  Davis,  H.  A. 
Cunningham,  J.  A,  Buchanan,  A.  W.  Davis,  Noah  Birchfield,  P.  H, 
Mason,  3.  M.  Earls,  8.  D.  Davis,  James  Salts,  W.  B.  Cole,  A.  J,  Mon- 
teith, J.  R.  Buchanan,  J.  M.  Smiley,  D.  S.  Colley,  Henry  Franklin, 
E.  N.  J.  Whiteside,  A.  Wiggins,  I,  T.  S.  Sherrill,  J.  P.  Panther,  E.  n! 
Bumgarner,  A.  J.  Parris,  J.  R.  Bradshaw,  B.  L.  Morgan,  J.  F,  Hogue, 
D.  Pendley,  A.  L.  Weatherman,  Richard  Wright,  P.  G.  Green,  Joel 
L.  Crisp,  W.  li..  Crisp,  A.  M,  Edwards.  T.  J.  Calhoun,  P.  A  Calhoun, 
J.  P.  Edwards,  F.  H.  Calhoun,  M.  8.  Sherrill,  Wilson  Carpenter,  T, 
B.  Plyde,  T.  J.  George,  D.  J.  Rogers,  S.  J.  Freeman,  J.  W.  Breedlove, 
R.  H.  Freeman,  T.  S.  DeHart,  J.  A.  Amnions,  T.  L.  Wikle,  L.  M. 
Mediin  and  James  Proctor. 

1882— J.  R.  Edwards,  M.  L.  Amnions,  A.  L.  McHan,  W.  C.  Mor- 
gan, G.  W.  Hooper,  J.  E.  Morgan,  J.  W.  Holland,  Wm.  Carpenter, 
Wm.  Pfoitt,  L.  A.  Crisp,  G.  W.  Ore,  H.  P,  Hyde,  W.  S.  Thomasson, 
H,  A,  Cunningham,  L.  L.  Thomasson,  M.  DeHart,  H,  Ramsey,  B.  L, 


Davis,  J.  M.  Earles,  James  Salts,  J.  B.  Hoyle,  J.  0.  Monteith,  E.  C. 
Monteith,  J.  M.  Smiley,  A.  Wiggins,  E.  N.  Bumgarncr,  A.  W.  Parris, 
John  Kimsey,  Y  Amnions,  J.  L.  Hogue.  D.  Marcus,  F.  M.  Morgan, 
A  L.  Weatherman,  P.  G.  G.reen,  W.  D.  Crisp,  M,  A.  Crisp,  S.  M.  Ed- 
wards, Joel  L.  Crisp,  i).  A,  Taylor,  J.  P.  Edwards,  I.  C.  Brooks,  John 
Jenkins,  W.  Lt  Welch,  P.  C.  Sawyer,  John  B.  Cable,  P.  A.  Calhoun, 
W.  A.  Marcus,  J.  B.  Carringer,  W.  M.  Taylor,  Hampton  Millsaps, 
Armstrong  Cornsilk,  Ah-qua-tee-gi,  Jacob  Orter,  Ute  Sherrill,  S.  L. 
Carpenter,  T.  J.  Amnions,  T.  B.  Hyde.  M.  S.  Sherrill,  J.  S.  Woodard, 
S.  J.  Freeman,  John  W\  Breedlove,  James  Clampitt,  T.  N.  Freeman, 
J.  L.  Proctor,  J.  D.  Proctor,  James  Proctor,  J.  R.  Bradshaw,  B.  J. 
Welch,  John  Grant,  A.  L.  Adams,  T.  J.  Calhoun,  R.  A.  Crisp,  A.  J. 
Willocks,  L.  M.  Medlin,  J.  C.  Hall,  E.  Wilson  and  J.  F.  Hall. 

1883— J.  R.  Edwards,  H.  M.  McHan,  M.  L.  Amnions.  Arquetake, 
L.  M.  Medlin,  J.  C.  Hail,  J.  R.  Cook,  James  Russell,  Carson  Holloway, 
T.  J.  Amnions,  T.  B.  Hyde,  J,  P.  Panther,  J.  M.  Earls,  E.  P.  Gibson, 
J.  A.  Buchanan,  Davis  Whiteside,  L.  L.  Thomasson,  H.  A.  Cunning- 
ham, J.  M.  Welch,  T.  J.  Calhoun,  C.  r.  Calhoun,  A.  J.  Willocks,  F. 
H.  Calhoun,  John  C.  Calhoun,  T.  W.  Calhoun,  W.  I.  Calhoun,  E.  C. 
Monteith,  J.  B.  Hoyle,  W.  B.  Cole,  A.  J.  Parris,  S.  M.  Crawford,  J.  M. 
Parris,  S.  W.  Monteith,  A.  J.  Monteith,  PL  L.  Potts,  T.  S.  Monteith, 
S.  A.  Monteith,  W.  R,  Monteith,  W.  M.  Anthony,  J.  B.  Hoyle,  J.  C. 
Sorrells,  D.  S.  Colley,  John  Wiggins,  J.  M.  Cline,  J.  B.  Beard,  A.  W. 
Parris,  E.  N.  Bumgarner,  J.  S.  Woodard,  J.  A.  Amnions,  J.  W.  Breed- 
love  D.  Davis,  J.  C.  Clampitt,  T.  N.  Freeman,  R.  T.  Cunningham,  I. 
D.  Proctor,  W.  M.  Welch,  G.  W.  Wrelch,  James  Proctor,  J.  L.  Hogue, 
D.  W.  Hogue,  James  Welch,  D.  Marcus,  John  Marcus,  J.  A.  Amnions, 
L.  Medlin,  F.  M.  Morgan,  P.  G.  Green,  W.  D  Crisp,  Joel  L.  Crisp,  E. 
L.  Crisp,  W.  J.  Brooks,  J.  P.  Edwards,  W.  L.  Welch,  J.  C.  Edwards, 
J.  H.  M.  Crisp,  John  B.  Cable,  G.  W.  Crisp,  W.  A.  Marcus,  James  M. 
Hyde,  J.  M.  Rickman,  Hampton  Millsaps,  Vance  Grant,  W.  M.  Taylor, 
John  P.  Grant,  J.  B.  Fuller,  W  .  S.  P.  Roberts,  Wm.  Green,  j.  M. 
Smiley,  J.  S.  Smiley,  J.  A.  Franks,  J.  D.  Jenkins,  N.  j-  Howard,  J.  H, 
Sitton  and  John  Woody. 


163) 


1884.— J.  R.  Edwards,  A.  U.  Welch,  H.  M.  McHan,  A.  J,.  McHan, 
William  McHan,  Armstrong  Cornsiik,  Obediah  Lan-tah,  L.  Medlm, 
L.  M.  Medlin,  William  Carpenter,  T.  A.  Carpenter,  Thomas  Rogers, 
D.  J.  Rogers,  T.  B.  Hyde,  H.  P.  Hyde,  Miller  Davis,  J.  S.  Smiley,  J. 
M.  Earls,  H.  Cunningham,  L.  L.*Thomasson,  Z.  V.  Welch,  J.  A,  Bu- 
chanan, T.  J.  Davis,  J.  S.  Gibby,  J,  M.  Smiley,  J,  M.  Welch,  D.  K. 
Collins,  N.  J.  Howard,  J.  H.  Sitton,  James  Kirkland,  C.  I.  Calhoun, 
A.  V.  Calhoun,  A.  J.  Willocks,  J.  H.  Sentell,  E.  C.  Monteith,  J.  0, 
Monteith,  A.  C.  Hemphill,  D,  S.  Colley,  J.  C.  Melton,  A.  Wiggins,  J. 
P,  Panther,  A.  W.  Parris,  J.  B.  Beard,  W.  M.  Shuler,  J.  M.  Cline,  J. 
S.  Woodard,  J.  A.  Ammons,  S.  J.  Freeman,  T.  N.  Freeman,  J.  W, 
Breediove,  L.  C.  Smith,  W.  L.  Proctor,  A.  M.  Grant,  A.  J.  Jones,  John 
Higdon,  H.  J.  Hogue.  D.  C.  Pendley,  F.  M.  Morgan,  P.  G.  Green,  W. 
D.  Crisp,  J.  L.  Crisp,  A.  H.  Walker,  W.  G.  Cable,  D.  A.  Taylor,  A.  M. 
Ed  wards,  A.  L.  Adams,  C.  F.  Sawyer,  W.  D,  Sawyer,  J.  A.  Holder, 
W.  L.  Welch,  Phillip  Jenkins,  James  Woodard,  Hampton  Millsaps, 
W.  M.  Taylor,  J.  E.  Morgan,  P.  H.  Mason,  W.  C.  Hamrick,  W.  M, 
Brendle,  E.  P.  Gibson,  A.  A.  Justice-and  Samuel  Ramsey, 

1885— J.  R.  Edwards,  L.  M.  Medlin,  J.  C.  Hail,  H.  Bv  Cook,  L.  Med- 
lin, W,  0.  Morgan,  J.  A.  Hyde,  Georg-3  Crisp,  William  Pruitt,  Carson 
Halloway,  John  Rogers,  J.  S.  Smiley,  J.  M.  Earls,  W.  A.  Cunningham, 
L.  L.  Thomasson,  Martin  DeHart,  D.  Whiteside,  H.  H.  Hyde,  J.  A. 
Franks,  J.  M.  Earls,  J.  C.  Sorrells  T.  M.  Buchanan,  Charles  Jenkins, 
J.  P.  Panther,  C.  I.  Calhoun,  J.  H.  Sentell,  W.  A.  Dorsey,  W,  I.  Cal- 
houn, Z.  V.  Calhoun,  William  Nichols,  M.  V.  York,  J.  C.  Crisp.  D.  S. 
Colley,  J.  R.  Bradshaw,  B.  J.  Welch,  A.  W.  Parris,  J.  B.  Beard,  Wil- 
liam Green,  A.  J.  Green,  J.  A.  Ammons,  A.  A.  Wall,  J.  N.  Truitt,  J, 
L.  Hogue,  J.  A.  Ammons,  John  Marcus,  N.  M.  Pilkaton,  T.  Y,  Am- 
mons, P.  G.  Green,  W.  D.Crisp,  D.  A.  Taylor,  S  M.  Edwards,  A.  M, 
Edwards,  Jenkins,  A.  L.  Adams,  C.  F.  Sawyer,  Isaac  Elliott,  W.  L. 
Welch,  S.  L.  Cable,  W.  D.  Sawyer,  J.  G.  Brooks,  J.  W.  Crisp,  G.  W. 
Crisp,  I.  C.  Brooks,  W.  T.  Crisp,  J.  H.  M.  Crisp,  R.  H.  Crisp,  A,  A. 
justice,  W.  M.  Taylor,  Z  V.  Gunter,  John  Gibson,  W,  I,  McClure,  J.  E 


UG4; 

Morgan,  A.  j.  Parris,  W.  B.  Cole,  E.  C.  Monteith,  G.  B.  Payne  and  S. 
D.  Payne. 

1886— Armstrong  Cornsilk,  Jake  Cheoah,  Tar-que-tee,  Lan-tah,  L. 
L.  Medlin,  PI.  B.  Cook,  Lewis  Medlin,  W.  C.  2d  organ,  William  Pruitt, 
G.  W.  Hooper,  G.  W.  Orr,  PI.  P.  Hyde,  J.  S.  Smiley,  J.  M.  Earls,  H. 
A.  Cunningham,  L.  L.  Thomasson,  J.  Buchanan,  M.  DeHart,  N.  J. 
Hcward,  John  Gibson,  John  Lester,  J.  U.  Whiteside,  D.  Whiteside, 
J.  J.  Bowers,  A.  Wiggins,  J.  R  Bradshavv,  James  Proctor,  J.  H.  Queen, 
J.  A.  Keenan,  W.  H.  Clark,  J.  B.  Beard,  J.  S.  Woodard,  J.  W.  Breed- 
love,  D.  Gutty,  W.  L.  Proctor,  D.  E.  Marcus,  J.  W.  Bradsbaw,  T.  Y. 
Amnions,  J  L.  Hogue,  H.  J.  Hogue,  W.  B.  Cole,  A.  J.  Parris,  E.  C. 
Monteith,  M.  A.  Crisp.  W.  D.  Crisp,  Bartley  Orr,  C.  F.  Sawyer,  W.  D. 
Sawyer,  J.  P.  Panther,  C.  I.  Calhoun,  R.  H.  Crisp,  W.  II.  Marcus,  J. 
H.  Sentell,  I.  C.  Brooks,  A.  J.  Willocks,  T.  S.  Calhoun,  J.  S.  Panther, 
A.  A,  Justice,  B.  W.  Justice,  W.  P.  Denton,  G.  B.  Payne,  J.  C.  Gun- 
t  f  r 

1887— L.  M.  Medlin,  H.  M.  Cook,  J.  C.  Holloway,  J.  M.  Earls,  J.  S. 
Smiley.  J.  A.  Buchanan,  L.  L.  Thomasson,. T.  Jeffie  Davis,  S.  B.  Gib- 
son, J.  P.  Gibson,  W.  H.  Davis,  T.  Buchanan,  Charles  Jenkins,  N.  F. 
Snider,  J.  A.Eranks,  J.  M.  Welch,  John  Gibson,  D.  Whiteside,  A.  Wiggins 
J.  R.  Buchanan,  J.  A.  Keenan,  William  Shuler,  David  Franklin,  J. 
K.  Clark,  E.  N.  Bumgarner,  A.  W.  Parris,  T.  D.  Watson,  S.  G.  Shuler, 
John  Kimsey,  J.  S.  Woodard,  J.  A.  Ammons,  J.  C.  Clampitt,  J.  T. 
Cunningham,  J.  M.  Smiley,  J.  A.  Cathey,  W.  D.  Crisp,  J.  H.  Sentell, 
Thomas  Calhoun,  A.  A.  Justice,  W.  P.  Denton,  W.  H.  Queen,    H.  K. 

Gass. 

1888 — E.  P.  Gibson,  Tah-quittee-hee,  Jacob  Cheer.  L.  M.  Medlin,  P. 
A.  Cable,  PL  M.  Cook,  J.  M.  Medlin,  M.  M.  Laney,  L.  Medlin,  Wil- 
liam Pruitt,  G,  W.  Hooper,  J.  J.  Colvard,  Samuel  Jordan,  J.  M.  Davis, 
W.  M.  Taylor,  J,  S.  Hyde,  T.  J.  Ammons,  J.  S.  Smiley,  J.  M.  Earls, 
H.  A.  Cunningham,  M.  DeHart,  W.  H.  Davis,  J.  U.  Whiteside,  J.  S. 
Gibby,  S,  B.  Gibson,  Henry  Ramsey,  G.  H,  Church,  J.  M.  Welch,  J. 
A.  Franks,  T.  M.  Crawford,  J.  S,  Elmore.  John  Thomas,  J.  P.  Panther, 
W.  R.  Monteith,  John  Hyde,  C.    I.   Calhoun,   T.   J.   Calhoun,   John 


(165) 

Jenkins.  James  VVoodard,  A.  V.  Calhoun,  A.  C.  Hoffman,  G.  B.  Payne, 
W.  B.  Cole,  E.  C.  Monteith,  J.  M.  Hyde,  D.  Whiteside,  E.  N.  J. 
Whiteside,  J.  H.  Queen,  A.  W.  Parris,  J.  F.  A.  Keenan,  J.  A,  Am- 
nions, T.  N.  Freeman,  VV.  H.  Queen,  H.  K.  Class,  \lJen  Beck,  J.  A, 
Cathey,  S.  Hogue,  T.  Y.  Amnions,  L).  E.  Marcus,  H,  Hog ue,  J.  Mar- 
cus, J.  VV.  Welch,  M.  A  Crisp,  D.  A.  Taylor,  S.  M.  Edwards,  A.  H, 
Walker,  L.  C.  Smith,  J.  C.   Edwards,    W.   D.   Crisp,    W.    M.   Barnes, 

Win.  Jenkins,  F.  M.  Carringer,  W.  A.  Marcus,  0.  F.  Sawyer,  P.  CV 
Brooks,  S.  L.  Cable,  W.  J.  Welch,  R.  PL  Crisp,  M.Rogers,  J.  W.  Crisp, 
J.  M.  Crisp,  A,  J.  Willocks,  A.  A.  Justice,  8.  T.  Ramsey,  J.  R.  Ander- 
son and  J.  L.  Smith. 

1889— J,  M.  Collins,  A.  L.  McHan,  J.  R.  Kimzey,  T.  D,  Watson,  A, 
P.  Childers,  AdamConseen,  William  Pruitt,  J.  M.  Smiley,  J.  S.  Smiley, 
T.  S.  DeHart,  W.  H.  Davis,  L»  Frisbee,  J.  A.  Buchanan,  J.  A,  Franks, 

E.  C.  Monteith,  J.  C.  Calhoun,  D.  S.  Colley,  A.  Wiggins,  J.  H.  Queen, 
J.  B.  Beard,  A.  W.  Parris,  H;  K.  Gass,J.  S.  Woodard' J,  W.  Breedlove, 
J.  C.  Clampett,  J.  P.  Panther,  J.  P,  Grant,  L.  M.  Medlin,  T.  Y.  Am- 
nions, W.  D.  Crisp,  A.  A,  Justice,  W.  P.  Denton,  H  J,  Beck.  J.  M. 
Mathis,  J.  S.  Conner,  W.  H.  Queen,  S.  L.  Beck,  W,  E.  Queen,  A,  L. 
Adams,  W.  B.  Gibson,  D.  K.  Blanton,  S,  P.  Harwood  and  J,  W.  Rog- 
ers. 

1890^-G.  L.  Tabor,  A.  W.  Wall,  A.  L.  McHan,  Andrew  Orter, 
Adam  Conseen,  T,  I).  Watson,  J.  K.  Kimsey,  J.  A,  Childers,  G>  H, 
Church,  J.  M.  Welch,  J.  A.  Franks,  J.  S.  Elmore,  T.  M.  Crawford,  M. 
J.  Beek,  Robert  Moody,  J.  M.  Da  vis,  T.  J,  Amnions,  T.  L„  Rogers 
J  no.  S.  Smiley,  J.  M.  Smiley,  J.  M.  Earls,  T.  S.  DeHart,  H>  A.  Cun- 
ningham, W«  L.  Panther,  J.  P.  Gibson,  W»  H.  Davis,  J.  A.  Buchanan, 

F.  P.  Hutchins,  W.  R.  Monteith,  John  Gibson,  B.  F,  Fowler,  T.  J. 
Calhoun,  A.  V.  Calhoun,  John  Jenkins,  I.  B>  Elliott,  W.  B.  Cole,  J, 
C.  Monteith,  A.  C.  Hoyle,  John  Lester,  A.  J.  Monteith,  Ev  C\  Mon- 
teith, T.  W.  Calhoun,  P.  A,  J,  B.  Styles,  J.  C.  Calhoun,  D.  Whiteside, 
W.  S.  Whiteside,  A,  Wiggins,  I).  S..  Colley,  Joseph  Colley,  H,  K. 
Gass,  John  Wiggins,  W,  H,  Clark,  J,  H.  Queen,  H.  J.   Beck,   W,   H 


Queen,  VV.  E.  Queen,  J.  H.  Beck,  I,  V.  Hooper,  J.  8.  Woodard,  J.  A. 
Amnions,  J.  C.  Clampett,  H.  M.  Dellart,  T.  L.  Wikle,  R.  T.  Cunning- 
ham, H.  H.  Hyde,  J.  P.  Grant,  G.  W.  Grant,  C.  M.  Brendle,  J.  R. 
Edwards,  Calvin  Hunnicutt,  L.  M.  Medlin,  T.  Y.  Amnions,  N.  M. 
Pilkaton,  J.  M.  Medlin,  J.  W.  Welch,  A.  B.  Thomas,  M.  A.  Crisp,  A. 
H.  Walker,  S.  M.  Edwards,  J.  R.  Stratton,  P.  P.  Harwood,  Sen.,  J.  P. 
Panther,  I.  C*  Brooks,  M.  Rogers,  John  Crisp,  A.  J.  Wiilocks,  A.  A. 
Justice,  B.  W.  Justice,  J.  W.  Justice,  Joseph  Morgan,  H.  C.  Burnett, 
John  Anderson.  J.  B.  Fuller,  A.  J.  Green,  W.  C.  Hamrick  and  S.  M. 
Evans. 


THE    END. 


(167)  ;: 

H  vou  want  to  stUl 

-A.  House,  Lot,  ox  xTaxxrv 

Place  it  with 

Times  Land  Agency, 

If  you  want  to  sell 
IXlira.^xa.1  ox  Timber  Lands, 

Place  it  with 

Times  Land  Agency. 


y6) 


We  have  correspondence  with  capitalists  North,  East,  South  and 
West,  and  will  offer  for  sale,  at  legitimate  prices,  any  property 
entrusted  to  us, 


R.  H.  PENDER,    )    T         T 

w.  m.  taylor!  j  Land  Agency> 


Bryson  City,  N.    C. 


(168; 

R.    H.   PENDER,   Editor  and  Proprietor. 

A  Weekly  newspaper  devoted  to  the  interests  of  Bryson  City,  Swain 
County,  and  North  Carolina.  Democratic  in  politics.  Fearless  in 
advocating;  the  rights  of  the  people.  Strives  to  be  unbiased,  fair  and 
just  in  all  things. 

Published  at  Bryson  City,  N.  C,  where  we  have  an  el^ation  of 
1,750  feet  above  the  sea.  Bracing  mountain  air,  purest  water  in  the 
world.  Unsurpassed  Mineral  and  Timber  resources.  Within  a  day's 
ride,  over  steel  rails,  oi  the  principal  cities  of  the  State.  A  young 
manufacturing  town  of  600  inhabitants. 


Job  printing, 

We  have  a  first-class  job  printing  outfit  and   will  give  prompt  and 

careful  attention  to  all  orders,  either  in  person  or  by  mail     We  carry 

at  all  times  a  complete  line  of  stationery  at  "bottom  rock"  prices;  also 

job  printing  material  and  will  print  anything  from  a  Postal  Card-  to 

a  Newspaper, 

U  H.  PkndeRj 
Bryson  City,  N.  C, 


( 169) 
L.  LEE  MARR.  J.  H.  DeHARL, 


IB1S13,    S®lSmMS9   0 Blip,   AMI  §SJkWJ»!0 
FULL  LINE  GENTS*   UNDERWEAR. 

READY-MADE  CLOTHING 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  Shoes  and  Slippers  and 

Foot  wear  in  great  variety,  sold  at  close 

figures  for  cash. 


Plain  and  Fancy   Groceries    of  the  best 
quality. 

FREE  DELIVERY, 


Orders  from  a  distance  mill  receive  proper  attention. 

IBan?  2s  BeHar*, 

Bryson  (My,  N.  (J. 

When  vou  go  there  tell  them  you  saw  their  "ad"  in  this  book. 


(170) 

mmmm  m  > 

HjPlR.D"\x7jPlKE. 
hardware, 

TINWARE, 

IRONWARE, 

Guns,  Pistols, 

Cartridges  and  jpLn-i  ignition, 
SUGAR,  COFFEE, 

MEAT.    FLOUR, 

CANNED  GOODS, 
Shoes,  Slippers, 

Tobacco,  Snuff, 

Doors,  Sash  and  Grlass. 

HEa.me:ss,  Bridles,  Saddles 

and  Le:atlne:r  Goods 

J.  H.  Ditmore, 

Bryson  Oity ,  2XT.  O.   , 


(171) 


A.  !¥l.  Fry,  K.   i-'ewby, 

BRYSOjY  city.  .TV-  G 


WATCHES,  CLOCKS; 

Repairing  of  all  kind  promptly  and  neatly 
done. 

J.  M.  WELCH, 

Depot  Comer, 

Bryson  City,  N.  C. 


172) 


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